Journeyman Isaac Mattson found belief and a career resurgence, aiming to extend his surprising success with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Isaac Mattson weathered setbacks and uncertainty in his baseball journey until a pivotal move to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization ushered in a new chapter.
However, everything has changed since Mattson joined the team that he grew up rooting for in Harborcreek, Pa., 135 miles north of Pittsburgh. Now, at 30, he has gone from a journeyman trying to hang on in pro ball to someone expected to be a high-leverage relief pitcher for the Pirates this season.
This is an underdog story.
After requesting his release from the Orioles in 2022 following his mother’s death, Mattson played in independent leagues later that season and into 2023. During the 2023-24 offseason, he signed with Pittsburgh as a minor league free agent, marking a major career shift.
Mattson made three relief appearances for the Pirates at the end of 2024, his first major league action since debuting with the Orioles in 2021. He then earned an extended big league opportunity last season, appearing in 44 games with a 3-3 record and a 2.45 ERA.
Why has Mattson found success with Pittsburgh but not in the minor leagues with the Los Angeles Angels, Orioles, or Minnesota Twins?
“I think the biggest piece was just the belief piece from the Pirates knowing they had my back in ’24 and signing me back in ’25 and just being able to go out and know who I was and execute at a high level,” Mattson said. “I’ve had people surrounding me in my life, my wife being a huge piece of that, but my family as well, always believing in me and believing that we can do great things.
“Just to have the support of the Pirates and the guidance as well. It just adds on to that and gives you the confidence to go play free and enjoy the game just a little bit more.”
Currently, the Pirates' bullpen features Mattson and left-hander Gregory Soto as the likely primary setup men for closer Dennis Santana. This marks quite a jump for Mattson; less than three years ago, he was pitching in independent ball with Southern Maryland of the Atlantic League.
Despite his recent advancements, Mattson is more interested in looking ahead at this point.
“It means a lot knowing that this isn’t my story, knowing that God has had a hand in it the whole time,” Mattson said. “There will also be a time and a place to look back and reflect on all of that stuff. I don’t think I’m there yet, but maybe in a few years down the road, we’ll get there. Just thankful for where this game has taught me lessons about baseball, but also about life.”
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