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Matt Cain

28-Year-Old Pitcher – San Francisco Giants

2013 Stats

W-L

3-2

ERA

5.43

WHIP

1.21

K

49

SV

0

2013 RotoWire Projections

W-L

ERA

WHIP

K

SV

2013 Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Cain produced another typical season in 2012, producing a 2.79 ERA and a career-best walk rate of 2.1 BB/9. He improved his swinging-strike rate to a career-best 9.6 percent that helped to improve his...

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LEAGUE: Majors   40 MAN: YES   BATS: R   THROWS: R   HT: 6' 3"   WT: 230   DOB: 10/1/1984   BORN: Dothan, AL   COLLEGE: None   DRAFTED: 1st Rd    Show ContractHide Contract

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Matt Cain Contract Information:

Signed a five-year $112.5 million extension with the Giants in April 2012. Includes club/vesting player option for 2018.

May 16, 2013  –  Matt Cain News

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Cain allowed six runs and eight hits over 6.1 innings Thursday, but picked up the win at Colorado. He walked two and struck out six.

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Matt Cain Stats
OPTIONS:   Show Partial SeasonsHide Partial Seasons      Show Minor League StatsHide Minor League Stats       Show 5x5 Stats OnlyShow All Statistics       Click stat headings to sort columns.
Year Age Lg Tm G GS SH IP H ER HR K BB W L SV BS HLD ERA WHIP
2004 19 A San 13 13 0 72.7 58 15 5 89 17 7 1 0 1.86 1.03
2004 19 AA NOR 15 15 0 86.0 73 32 7 72 40 6 4 0 3.35 1.31
2005 20 AAA FRE 26 26 0 145.7 118 71 22 176 73 10 5 0 4.39 1.31
2005 20 MAJ SFO 7 7 0 46.3 24 12 4 30 19 2 1 0 2.33 0.93
2006 21 MAJ SFO 32 31 1 190.7 157 88 18 179 87 13 12 0 4.15 1.28
2007 22 MAJ SFO 32 32 0 200.0 173 81 14 163 79 7 16 0 3.65 1.26
2008 23 MAJ SFO 34 34 1 217.7 206 91 19 186 91 8 14 0 3.76 1.36
2009 24 MAJ SFO 33 33 0 217.7 184 70 22 171 73 14 8 0 2.89 1.18
2010 25 MAJ SF 33 33 2 223.3 181 78 22 177 61 13 11 0 0 0 3.14 1.08
2011 26 MAJ SF 33 33 0 221.7 177 71 9 179 63 12 11 0 0 0 2.88 1.08
2012 27 MAJ SF 32 32 2 219.3 177 68 21 193 51 16 5 0 0 0 2.79 1.04
2013 28 MAJ SF 9 9 0 56.3 51 34 13 49 17 3 2 0 0 0 5.43 1.21
AccuScore ROS Projections MAJ   Subscribe now to see the 2013 Rest Of Season AccuScore projections for Matt Cain
2013 RotoWire Projections MAJ   Subscribe now to see our 2013 projections for Matt Cain
3-Year Averages MAJ   32 32 1 221.4 178 72 17 183 58 13 9 0 0 0 2.93 1.07
Career  (View All) MAJ   245 244 6 1,593.0 1330 593 142 1327 541 88 80 0 3.35 1.17

Age is determined on July 1st of each season.       Jump To:     ▼ Advanced Stats      ▼ Pitcher vs. Batter Stats

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Matt Cain Game Log    (View Full Game Log)
# of Days To Display:    Show 14Show 14    Show 30Show 30    Show 60Show 60
DATE OPP IP H R ER HR BB K HBP WP CG W-L SV BS HLD ERA WHIP
May. 16 @Col 6.3 8 6 6 3 2 6 0 0 0 W 0 0 0 5.43 1.21
May. 10 Atl 8.0 3 2 2 1 2 7 0 0 0 W 0 0 0 5.04 1.16
May. 5 LAD 7.3 5 1 1 0 3 4 0 1 0 W 0 0 0 5.57 1.26
Apr. 29 @Ari 6.0 5 4 4 3 4 6 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 6.49 1.30
Apr. 23 Ari 6.0 5 4 3 1 1 6 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 6.59 1.26
Apr. 18 @Mil 6.0 7 7 7 3 0 4 1 0 0 L 0 0 0 7.15 1.32
Apr. 12 @ChC 7.0 7 2 2 2 2 6 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 5.94 1.38
Apr. 7 StL 3.7 7 9 9 0 2 2 0 0 0 L 0 0 0 8.38 1.45
Apr. 1 @LAD 6.0 4 0 0 0 1 8 1 0 0 - 0 0 0 0.00 0.83
Last 14 Days
3 Games:  Avg. 7.2 IP/G
21.7 16 9 9 4 7 17 0 1 0 3-0 0 0 0 3.74 1.06
Last 30 Days
6 Games:  Avg. 6.6 IP/G
39.7 33 24 23 11 12 33 1 1 0 3-1 0 0 0 5.22 1.13
Last 60 Days
9 Games:  Avg. 6.3 IP/G
56.3 51 35 34 13 17 49 2 1 0 3-2 0 0 0 5.43 1.21
Today's Game
AccuScore Projection
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Next 7 Days
AccuScore Projection
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Matt Cain Split Stats    (View Full Split Stats)

Vs. Left

Year Batters K BB H 2B 3B HR BAA
201311024921405.208
20124249434982219.257
20114619035771924.185

Vs. Right

Year Batters K BB H 2B 3B HR BAA
201312825830508.256
201245299177919212.191
201144689281002735.250

Home

Year IP W L SV K BB HR ERA WHIP
201325.021019825.401.12
2012110.78301011972.030.90
2011112.7650893242.801.06

Away

Year IP W L SV K BB HR ERA WHIP
201331.3110309115.461.28
2012108.78209232143.561.18
2011109.0660903152.971.11
Matt Cain Advanced Stats
OPTIONS:   Show Partial SeasonsHide Partial Seasons      Show Minor League StatsHide Minor League Stats      Click stat headings to sort columns.
Year Age Lg Tm G GS IP K/9 BB/9 K/BB HR/9 GB/FB Ratio Strand % Fastball ERA FIP BABIP
2004 19 A San 13 13 72.7 11.02 2.11 5.24 0.62 85.7% 1.86 2.35 .314
2004 19 AA NOR 15 15 86.0 7.53 4.19 1.80 0.73 76.4% 3.35 4.12 .279
2005 20 AAA FRE 26 26 145.7 10.87 4.51 2.41 1.36 71% 4.39 4.35 .290
2005 20 MAJ SFO 7 7 46.3 5.83 3.69 1.58 0.78 79.5% 2.33 4.30 .166
2006 21 MAJ SFO 32 31 190.7 8.45 4.11 2.06 0.85 0.74 69% 4.15 3.96 .279
2007 22 MAJ SFO 32 32 200.0 7.34 3.56 2.06 0.63 0.87 71.8% 3.65 3.70 .284
2008 23 MAJ SFO 34 34 217.7 7.69 3.76 2.04 0.79 0.66 74.1% 92.4 MPH 3.76 3.92 .304
2009 24 MAJ SFO 33 33 217.7 7.07 3.02 2.34 0.91 0.93 79.6% 92.6 MPH 2.89 3.98 .268
2010 25 MAJ SF 33 33 223.3 7.13 2.46 2.90 0.89 0.82 74.5% 91.6 MPH 3.14 3.77 .260
2011 26 MAJ SF 33 33 221.7 7.27 2.56 2.84 0.37 1.09 73.2% 91.2 MPH 2.88 3.09 .274
2012 27 MAJ SF 32 32 219.3 7.92 2.09 3.78 0.86 0.91 77.3% 91.2 MPH 2.79 3.51 .268
2013 28 MAJ SF 9 9 56.3 7.83 2.72 2.88 2.08 0.97 61.8% 90.8 MPH 5.43 5.47 .257
2013 Projections MAJ   Subscribe now to see our 2013 projections for Matt Cain
3-Year Averages MAJ   32 32 221.4 7.44 2.36 3.16 0.69 74.9% 2.93 3.33 .267
Career MAJ   245 244 1,593.0 7.50 3.06 2.45 0.80 73.9% 3.35 3.75 .273

Age is determined on July 1st of each season.       Jump To:     ▲ Basic Stats      ▲ Split Stats      ▼ Pitcher vs. Batter Stats

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2013 Stat Review for Matt Cain    As compared to the top 200 starting pitchers in 2012 (min 40 in)

K/BB/HR Stats

A collection of stats that measure different skills.

Explain This

2.88 K/BB
GOOD
7.83 K/9
GOOD
2.72 BB/9
AVERAGE
90.8 MPH Fastball
AVERAGE
2.1 HR/9
TERRIBLE
0.97 GB/FB Ratio
BALANCED
ERA/WHIP/FIP

A few general measures of a pitcher's effectiveness.

Explain This

5.43 ERA
POOR
1.21 WHIP
GOOD
5.47 FIP
POOR
BABIP/Strand

Balls in play avg. and % of runners left stranded.

Explain This

.257 BABIP
LOW
61.8% Strand Rate
LOW

2013 Projected Stats Breakdown for Matt Cain

Overall Ratings

2013 projections compared to top pitchers in 2012.

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San Francisco Giants Roster

Career Pitcher vs. Batter Stats    (View All Matchup Data)

Worst Matchups for Matt Cain (by OPS against, min 15 AB)

Batter Team AB H HR RBI BB K SB AVG SLG OPS
Albert Pujols ANA 15 8 2 6 4 0 0 .533 1.000 1.619
Jose Reyes TOR 20 10 1 6 4 2 0 .500 .950 1.550
Chase Utley PHI 23 8 4 8 1 3 3 .348 .913 1.313
Ryan Ludwick CIN 22 8 3 6 3 6 1 .364 .818 1.263
Carlos Beltran STL 18 7 1 5 2 3 0 .389 .778 1.228
David Wright NY-N 24 11 0 3 1 4 0 .458 .708 1.227
Jimmy Rollins PHI 23 7 1 5 3 4 0 .304 .783 1.167
Stephen Drew BOS 35 12 3 7 2 6 1 .343 .743 1.121
Troy Tulowitzki COL 53 18 4 6 5 10 2 .340 .698 1.095
Adam Dunn CHI-A 20 6 2 3 3 6 1 .300 .700 1.091

Best Matchups for Matt Cain (by OPS against, min 15 AB)

Batter Team AB H HR RBI BB K SB AVG SLG OPS
Corey Hart MIL 16 2 0 0 2 3 0 .125 .188 .410
Endy Chavez SEA 15 3 0 2 0 1 1 .200 .200 .400
Andy LaRoche TOR 15 3 0 0 0 0 0 .200 .200 .400
Tony Gwynn Jr. LA 16 3 0 0 0 3 0 .188 .188 .375
Carlos Gonzalez COL 34 4 0 2 5 10 1 .118 .118 .343
Juan Pierre MIA 25 4 0 1 0 0 1 .160 .160 .320
Seth Smith OAK 26 2 0 2 2 2 0 .077 .115 .282
Kelly Johnson TB 32 4 0 0 1 7 2 .125 .125 .277
Jonathan Herrera COL 20 2 0 2 1 1 0 .100 .100 .236
Clint Barmes PIT 18 1 0 2 0 4 0 .056 .111 .164

Note: Stats are from 2002 through the 2012 season.     Jump To:     ▲ Basic Stats      ▲ Split Stats      ▲ Advanced Stats

Matt Cain: Past News Updates   ( ▲ View most recent update )

Cain shook off being hit on the hip with a line drive to pitch eight innings of two-run ball, while allowing just three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts, against the Braves on Friday.

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Cain pitched 7.1 innings Sunday night and picked up his first win of the season. He gave up an earned run on five hits, walked three and struck out four.

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Cain put together another subpar outing Monday, surrendering four runs over six innings in a 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

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Cain gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits while striking out six against Arizona on Tuesday.

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Cain (0-2) was knocked around for seven runs on seven hits (including three homers) in six innings Thursday against Milwaukee. He struck out four without a walk.

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Cain struck out six and walked two while giving up two runs on seven hits -- a pair of solo homers -- in a no-decision against the Cubs on Friday.

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Cain (0-1) was blown out of Sunday's loss to the Cardinals after giving up nine earned runs over 3.1 innings.

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Cain tossed six shutout innings Monday, giving up four hits and one walk while striking out eight, but walked away with a no-decision against the Dodgers.

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Cain said his stomach felt "a little funky", and it was the main reason he only pitched three innings against the Brewers on Sunday, the Mercury News reports.

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Cain (knee) was knocked around a bit in his second spring-training outing, giving up three runs on four hits over three innings Thursday.

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RotoWire's Preseason Outlooks

2013

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2012

Cain has now turned in essentially the same strong season three years in a row, though the one outlier in 2011 was a huge drop in home runs allowed (nine). He’s always been tough to homer against, but his 3.7 percent HR/FB was a career low, and while that’s unsustainable, note his career mark is 6.5 percent. Cain’s career BABIP is also .265, so barring a change in scenery, it’s safe to ignore the fact his xFIP is always much higher than his ERA. Cain dealt with some arm trouble last year in spring training, and there’s some long-term concern about him having “loose bodies” in his elbow, but there’s little concern about his short-term durability, as he’s averaged 220.0 innings over the past four years. Cain has yet to win 15 games in a season in his career, but if he remains a horse while pitching like he has recently, he’ll approach 20 victories one of these years.

2011

Cain has been a remarkably similar pitcher over the past four seasons, though his 2.46 BB/9IP ratio last season was a personal-best. He's finished with a HR/FB ratio less than 8.5 percent during all six seasons he's been in the big leagues, and his career BABIP is just .274, so those who keep calling for his regression continue to be disappointed. He's now up to nearly 1,100 innings pitched in his career, so maybe Cain is an outlier in this respect. Despite not possessing overwhelming velocity (averaging 91.6 mph in 2010), Cain's fastball has been one of the best pitches in baseball over the past two years, thanks to a lot of movement and a deceptive delivery. Still just 26, Cain showed marked improvement after July ended last season, posting a 1.35 BB/9IPIP and an 8.00 K/9IPIP, and he also didn’t allow a single earned run over 21.1 innings in the postseason, so a true breakout may yet be in store if that improved control carries over. He enters 2011 as the Giants' No. 2 starter, and after averaging 210.0 innings over the past five seasons since becoming a full-time starter, Cain is about as safe a fantasy pick as they come.

2010

Cain finished with a career-high 14 wins last season as well as a career-best 2.89 ERA and 1.181 WHIP. The results occurred with a poor, albeit improved, walk rate (3.02 BB/9IP) and a declining strikeout rate (7.07 K/9IP), so Cain is a tough pitcher to project moving forward. His ERA has been much better than his peripherals suggest it should be during all four of his seasons in the majors, so some big correction isn’t necessarily in store, but it’s worth noting he held batters to just a .161 BAA with runners in scoring position in 2009, including a .101 BAA with RISP and two outs, which simply isn’t sustainable. He also finished last year with a .268 BABIP, but his career mark is .278, so that’s becoming more of a trend than a mirage. Ultimately, Cain is a good pitcher, both durable and capable of becoming truly great if he ever improves his control. After all, he’s still just 25 years old. However, the declining strikeout rate is a concern, and it might be best not to overpay for last season’s sparkling ERA based on his shaky underlying component stats.

2009

Cain's 2008 season was disappointing, as he finished 8-14 with a 3.76 ERA. The ERA wasn't bad, and the poor record obviously wasn't his fault, but Cain's 3.76 BB/9IP mark was the fifth worst in all of baseball, leaving him with a subpar 1.36 WHIP. His improved strikeout rate (7.69 K/9IP) was highly encouraging, but at this stage of his career, it's disappointing he's still having command problems. Cain really wore down after the All-Star break, which could be a result of him being among the league-leaders in pitches thrown. The velocity of his fastball has dipped a bit, and his secondary pitches haven’t quite developed as hoped. It's possible a true breakout campaign is still in his future, but Cain is no longer San Francisco's ace.

2008

It's easy to forget Cain is only 23 years old as last year's 3.65 ERA and 1.260 WHIP can hardly be viewed as disappointing. He still battles control problems from time to time, and of some concern is that his strikeout rate dropped in 2007. Still, he fanned 67 batters in 70 innings over the season's final two months last year, finishing strong with a 2.96 ERA and 1.000 WHIP. Thanks to terrible run support, Cain was left with a 7-16 record, which could help him come at a discount in fantasy leagues. He has terrific stuff with the mechanics and body type to be a workhorse, and pitching in AT&T Park certainly helps as well. Run support figures to remain a problem, but Cain has big time upside, making him someone to target.

2007

Cain's rookie season was an inconsistent one, as his command often fluctuated from start to start. Still, he was baseball's best pitcher for a six-start stretch during August and September, allowing just one run over 42 innings (0.21 ERA), while fanning 43 batters, showing his enormous potential. Command is likely to remain an issue, given his 4.12 walks per nine innings, but Cain enters this year with the upside of a top-20 starter. Throwing in the pitcher-friendly NL West, Cain is definitely someone to target.

2006

One of the top ten prospects in the game, Cain's high-90s heat and power curve make him unhittable at times. Control problems have been a concern, and certainly were in his MLB debut. Get him, but know that his '06 line may not be that special, as he continues to work on the strike zone.

2005

Cain was promoted to Double-A Norwich in June after a great campaign at Single-A with the San Jose Giants, but he will likely require a few more seasons before he's ready for the big leagues.

2004

Elbow problems cut his season short, but the Giants' 2002 #1 pick got it together in instructional league and is set to jump to the Cal League to start 2004. High-school pitchers often take a while to reach the majors, usually because of injury or adjustments. Cain should be no different, so his name should only be called in leagues with extremely deep farm systems.

2003

Cain was drafted in the first round out of high school by the Giants (25th overall) in 2002. In his first taste of pro ball, he posted a 3.72 ERA in 19 innings in the Rookie league (20 K's, 11 walks, only one homer allowed, 1.24 WHIP). The Giants are high on him, but he's got a long way to go; he'll pitch somewhere in Single-A in 2003.