The Twins have seen one notable pitching prospect make his debut this season, David Festa, and now Zebby Matthews will join him in Minnesota. The 24-year-old Matthews rocketed up the Minors after a standout season that saw many strikeouts and few walks. Here’s a closer look at the 24-year-old pitching prospect.
A Look at Matthews
The Twins have one of the game’s better farm systems but one of the best stories out from 2024 was the performance of Zebby Matthews. Matthews was a 2022 eighth-round pick out of Western Carolina but jumped from High-A to Triple-A, and now the Majors, after a breakout season.
Matthews struck out 112 batters over 105.1 IP last season between Low and High-A in 2023 before a 114-strikeout campaign in 2024 across just 97 innings. The 24-year-old began the year in Cedar Rapids (A+), waltzed through Double-A, and then struck out 23 over 19 innings with Triple-A St. Paul. As a whole, Matthews owned a 2.60 ERA and opposing hitters batted just .212 against him between those three levels.
The 24-year-old gave up four home runs and 12 earned runs over 19 frames with the Saints. However, that was in a very hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
Matthews can overpower hitters — something he did in the Minors, including most recently in Triple-A — with a power four-seamer that he’ll pop up in the zone with life and can stick in the 95-97 MPH range. The fastball is his bread-and-butter, a pitch batters will see anywhere in the count, as he used it often as his putaway pitch.
Additionally, Matthews flashed a slider that can fall off the table against right-handed hitters, a curveball, a cutter, and a split-change.
Matthews’ best asset, aside from his booming fastball, is his command. The 24-year-old walked just seven batters in the Minors this season and he began 2024 with a 38.1 IP streak without conceding a walk.
Analysis
The Twins have a knack for developing pitchers from non-power colleges and turning them into high-ceiling prospects. Minnesota did it with David Festa, a Seton Hall product who gained velocity after leaving college and made his MLB debut after a standout Minor League run from 2022-24. Now, the Twins may have another valuable arm in Zebby Mathews.
From a physical and stuff standpoint, Matthews is a tantalizing arm. However, one key to watch will be whether Matthews’ penchant for pounding the zone will work as it is in the Majors. Yes, he possesses plus command. However, the ability to tunnel and get opposing hitters to chase out of the zone is just as critical as beating hitters in the zone.
Fantasy Outlook
Matthews has high potential in fantasy for 2025 but what about 2024? With Joe Ryan out for a significant period, the 24-year-old Matthews can cement himself as a valuable arm for the last six weeks of this season, given his high strikeout, low WHIP ways. And, he’s on a good Twins team, meaning a higher win total.
He’s worth a buy in AL-only and mixed leagues.