Ugandan right-handed pitcher David Matoma, in his third year with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, struck out three batters across two innings on Wednesday night in his second appearance for the Low-A Bradenton Marauders during their 4-3 home loss to the Tampa Tarpons, the New York Yankees’ affiliate.
From Uganda to Bradenton — David Matoma is making quick work of hitters at Single-A 🔥
The 19-year-old @Pirates prospect showed off his four-pitch mix, racking up three strikeouts in two no-hit innings for @The_Marauders. pic.twitter.com/cxQMaWLwUi
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 1, 2025
Matoma entered in relief at the top of the sixth inning, taking over for Inmer Lobo.
Matoma finished his stat line on Wednesday with not allowing a hit, no earned runs, and no walks in his two-inning performance.
Through two relief appearances in the 2025 season, Matoma has posted a 2.70 ERA over 3.1 innings, allowing two hits, one earned run, one walk, and recording four strikeouts.
The 19-year-old from Kasana, Uganda signed a minor league contract with the Pirates during the international signing period on January 15, 2023.
Before signing with the Pirates in 2023, David Matoma cold-messaged scout Tom Gillespie on WhatsApp with over 30 bullpen videos from Uganda — and it worked. The Athletic’s Rob Biertempfel captured the full story of how a teenager with no formal league still earned a contract.
In 2024, Matoma excelled in the Florida Complex League, recording a 0.82 ERA and three saves across 15 relief appearances. He pitched 22 innings, allowed 15 hits, two earned runs, one home run, nine walks, and struck out 28, earning a 1.091 WHIP and Postseason All-Star honors.
In his first professional season, Matoma split his time in the Dominican Summer League and played with the Gold and Black for the Pirates.
Across both DSL teams, he went 4-0 without allowing an earned run in nine outings and one start, tossing 16.2 innings with 12 hits, seven walks, 14 strikeouts, and a 1.140 WHIP.
Through three professional seasons, Matoma owns a 4-0 record with a 0.64 ERA, three saves, and a 1.095 WHIP across 26 appearances. He’s logged 42 innings, yielding 29 hits, three earned runs, one home run, 17 walks, and 46 strikeouts.
According to Baseball Savant, “Matoma’s scouting grades consist of Fastball at 70, Slider at 55, Splitter at 40, Control at 45 and Overall at 40. He’s touched triple-digits with his fastball and routinely is in the 97-98 mph range, though he does tend to fatigue pretty quickly. His 87-88 mph gyro-like slider could be a true out pitch in time, one that already misses a good amount of bats, and when he can keep his heater at the high end of his range, there’s good velocity separation there. He has an upper-80s splitter, but it’s a distant third pitch that doesn’t kill enough spin.”
Matoma is currently ranked No. 30 on MLBPipeline.com’s list of top prospects in the Pirates organization.
