Isaac Mattson: A Western Pennsylvania Journey
p/c: Gene J. Puskar
Born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, Isaac Mattson was a pitcher for Harbor Creek High School, located near his hometown.
In 2014, Mattson enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh. During his three years with the Panthers as a reliever, he compiled a 3.47 ERA.
Mattson was taken as a 19th round selection of the Los Angeles Angels in the 2017 MLB Draft.
Shortly after representing the Angels in the 2019 Arizona Fall League, Mattson was traded to the Baltimore Orioles, in a deal involving former top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy.
2021 was a rollercoaster year for Mattson, as while he did receive his first big league call up, his mother tragically took her own life.
Mattson returned to Western Pennsylvania in 2022 by signing with the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League; located about 40 minutes south of Pittsburgh. The right-hander posted an ERA of 2.40 in 12 relief outings. Despite the good ERA, his contract option was declined by the Wild Things.
Heading into 2023, Mattson chose to stay the independent ball route, as he inked a deal with the Atlantic League’s Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. In 18 games, he put up a 3.32 ERA.
Impressed by his stint in independent ball, the Minnesota Twins signed Mattson to a minor league contract, and he was assigned to AA Wichita, where he had a 3.62 ERA. Following the season, he elected free agency.
After pitching collegiately and independently, in Western PA, it was the Pittsburgh Pirates’ turn to give him a chance, as they signed him to a minor league deal, prior to the 2024. It was on September 19th that he made his return to an MLB mound.
The Pirates removed Mattson from the 40-man roster on November 4th, which prompted him to elect free agency. Two weeks later, however, he re-signed an MiLB deal with Pittsburgh.
Mattson began 2025 with AAA Indianapolis. He registered an ERA of 2.57, along with a 0.95 WHIP, and a 10.7 K/9 (25 K in 21 IP). The Indians were using him mostly in high leverage situations late in games.
On May 20th, the Pirates selected Mattson’s contract and added him to the active roster. He’s been a good, middle relief option for Pittsburgh thru 10 appearances, with a 2.03 ERA and a WHIP of 0.60.
Perseverance has been the name of the game for Mattson’s journey in professional baseball, particularly in Western Pennsylvania, and the hard work could finally lead to an opportunity to be a mainstay in a Major League bullpen.