The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – July 10, 2021 – A Northwest Indiana Oilmen legend is back in the affiliated ranks.

After posting a 2.22 ERA in 24 1/3 innings and nailing down 14 saves in 21 appearances with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association this season, Matt Pobereyko (Kentucky Wesleyan / Munster, Ind.) has earned another opportunity in affiliated baseball. The Explorers have transferred Pobereyko’s contract to the Miami Marlins.

A member of the Oilmen in 2013 and 2014, Pobereyko holds the Midwest Collegiate League all-time career saves record with 18 and single-season record with 13. He posted a 2.57 ERA in 14 innings with 17 strikeouts in 2013. A year later, he put together one of the most dominant seasons in team history, allowing two runs in 23 innings for a sparkling ERA of 0.78, at the time a franchise record.

Pobereyko has reached as high as Triple-A with the Las Vegas 51s of the New York Mets organization. He also spent time in the Arizona Diamondbacks system. The 2010 Bishop Noll High School graduate has played in the Arizona Fall League and Dominican Winter League.

Pobereyko spent two seasons on the Oilmen coaching staff, serving as pitching coach under manager Adam Enright in 2015 and returning to that role under manager Chris Cunningham in 2020.

In total, over 90 former Midwest Collegiate League players have reached the professional level. Five have fulfilled the ultimate dream of playing in the big leagues. The Oilmen and MCL are expected to have several alumni taken in next week’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.