The pitcher with the unusual first name is quickly making a name for himself in the Twins’ minor league system. Zebby Matthews began the season at High-A Cedar Rapids before being promoted to Double-A Wichita and now to the Saints. The 24-year-old has a combined record of 6-1 this season with an earned-run average of 1.
95. The Twins selected the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Matthews in the eighth round of the 2022 draft out of Western Carolina. He currently finds himself among the organization’s top prospects, according to MLB.
com, at No. 19. Matthews, a right-hander, made his Saints debut on Sunday in Toledo, allowing two runs on four hits in five innings to earn the victory.
His parents and brother made the drive from their native North Carolina to be a part of the moment. Matthews said his wife, Kendall, will be at CHS Field on Saturday, when he makes his next start. Along with his impressive professional record, which stands at 13-4 overall, Matthews has drawn attention with his excellent command.
He has allowed only six walks this season in 83 innings pitched. “I’ve always had pretty good command,” Matthews said prior to the Saints’ game against the Omaha Storm Chasers on Tuesday night at CHS Field, a 3-1 loss. “I think a lot of it comes from good mechanics.
I have repeatable mechanics; I have a good feel for the ball. But also there’s a big confidence piece trusting in my stuff, when I throw it in the zone, is going to get guys out.” Matthews has enjoyed a steady increase in velocity on his fastball since turning pro, and can regularly reach 97 miles per hour.
He also throws a cutter, a sweeper and a curve, and is working on a changeup. “One of the biggest goals of the offseason was to try to perfect the off-speed pitches a little better,” Matthews said. “Obviously, they’re still a work in progress, so I’ll be fine-tuning them.
And, being more comfortable throwing the changeup.” For the record, Zebby is a play off the middle name of Daniel Zebulon Matthews. He said it’s the only name he’s ever gone by.
A self-described late bloomer, Matthews played in junior college for one season before signing with Western Carolina. He said it was during his second season at Western Carolina that he began thinking that his lifelong dream of playing in the major leagues could become a reality. “I had some scouts coming out to my games, which was really cool,” Matthews said.
“But then I got hurt and didn’t get drafted. But they came back the next year and things went well.” The same can be said for his professional career to date.
Twins third baseman Royce Lewis, who began his rehab assignment on Tuesday after going on the injured list on July 2 with a right adductor strain, started at third base. He went 0 for 3 with a pair of strikeouts before being replaced in the eighth inning. Louie Varland pitched six strong innings, blanking the Storm Chasers on two hits while strikeout out seven.
He left leading 1-0. Varland has not given up a run over his last two starts, covering 11 2/3 innings. The Saints lost 3-1 to Omaha at home Tuesday night.
They play again at 1:07 p.m. Wednesday afternoon at CHS Field.
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