Matthew O’Brien has been UC Riverside’s workhorse southpaw in 2026
In the 2026 season, Matthew O’Brien has been a steadying force for UC Riverside, earning All-Big West Second Team honors after leading the Highlanders with 77.2 innings and 40 strikeouts. The left-hander’s biggest value is durability and competitiveness: he’s taken the ball in big spots, threw UCR’s first complete game since 2022, and has shown he can survive deep into games against quality lineups. He profiles as a tough, innings-eating starter whose command-and-grit package makes him a real fit for teams that want poise more than flash.
