ODU’s veteran lefty who can punch tickets and lock down innings
In the 2026 season, Bailey Matela emerged as Old Dominion’s most-used arm, pairing a heavy workload with swing-and-miss ability: he’s listed at 6-foot-5, 235 pounds and was used both as a starter and late-inning option, including a six-strikeout start and a two-inning save that showed real leverage value. He finished 2026 with a 6.03 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 34 strikeouts in 31.1 innings, and opponents hit .221 against him, which says the stuff plays even when the results are uneven. The fit? A dependable, battle-tested lefty with bullpen flexibility and real intensity; the upside is clear if command tightens.
