Fun With Filters

Volume 2

Carlos Mateo, Pirates
by Rick
Fun With Filters Volume 2 — Carlos Mateo, Pirates

Not only did Volume One of Fun With Filters discover Ethan Anderson of the Orioles, but it also saved the scouting filters from destruction. So now we’re on to Volume Two.

For Volume Two, I was inspired by Jefry Yan’s antics in his MLB debut.

So we’re going to look for a relief pitcher with some specific qualities.

  1. PARS score: We’ll start with a projected role of at least low leverage—a PARS score of 60 or higher on the Spec-RP tab (from 1,507 relievers → 118 relievers)
  2. Level: Next, we’ll focus on the lower levels of full-season ball. So we’re filtering for Single-A and High-A (down to 43 relievers)
  3. Inspired by Jefry Yan (and no, jump splits are not a sortable stat), we’ll add two scouting filters:
    • K-potential: Green (all 43 relievers remain, interesting)
    • Control: Yellow (19 relievers remain)
  1. Finally, we’ll filter for pitchers who are 21 or younger, since we’re targeting the lower minors. Stopping at 21.5 for a second turns up an interesting name: Sandro Santana, who was part of the return for Lars Nootbaar.

Filtering out Santana and the other over-21 result, Francis Texido, leaves us with Carlos Mateo of the Pirates, our unearthed gem of Volume 2.

Video via Anthony Murphy, subscribe to their YouTube channel here: youtube.com/@bucsondeck

Using the stats side of the Spec Summary, it’s easy to see why he’s 0% rostered on Fantrax. From 2023-25, he walked more hitters than he struck out, and it wasn’t particularly close either. Just unbelievably bad numbers. This wasn’t a guy who knew where it was going.

Despite that, he was promoted to full-season ball, and suddenly… it clicked:

The strikeouts remain, but now the walks are under control. Amazing developmental progress, even if it comes in a sample of just six games.

So, we did it again. I had personally never heard of Carlos Mateo before running these filters. Had you? I would say to add this guy to your watchlists, because, if he reaches his ceiling, he has future-closer upside. I wouldn’t add him, or really any reliever, in Single-A, anywhere. As he ascends, however, if these gains stick, he’ll be a name worth scooping up in deeper dynasty leagues, especially ones that value holds as a category.

Thanks for reading!

-Rick ✌🏼

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