33rd Overall: Texas Rangers Select LHP Kevin Matthews
The Texas Rangers selected Kevin Matthews with the 33rd pick in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft. The 18-year-old, left-handed pitcher attended Richmond Hill High School (GA) last season. He stands 5’10″ tall and weighs 165 pounds. Matthews was not featured as a first round pick by Wally Fish in the S2S Mock Draft.
NUMBERS:
Matthews was 4-2 with a 1.68 ERA in 10 games for Richmond Hill HS as a senior. He had 94 strikeouts with just 14 walks, giving up 18 hits in 42 innings.
Despite being heavily committed to University of Virginia, Matthews quickly signed for a reported $936,000.
Mathews posted a 2.20 ERA over 28 2/3 innings between two Rangers minor league affiliates. He struck out 30 and held opposing batters to a .222 average. Unfortunately Matthews also walked 18 during that span.
MECHANICS:
Matthews has an easy, smooth delivery thrown from a 3/4 release. Scouts like his consistency and smooth mechanics.
REPERTOIRE:
Mathews features a steady low 90s fastball that sits regularly between 88 and 90. He compliments his fastball with a big sweeping mid 70s curveball. His arsenal is rounded out by a change-up that’s describe as work in progress.
WHAT THEY SAY:
Baseball America
He’s a slight but quick-armed pitcher whose fastball has touched 94-95 mph, though he’s usually in the 87-90 range. He has not shown the ability to sustain above-average velocity with any consistency. His tight curveball gives him a solid-average secondary pitch. He hasn’t shown much of a changeup.While some scouts compare him to such recent draft picks as Kasey Kiker and Robbie Ross (both now in the Rangers system), others liken him more to lefthanded relievers such as Billy Wagner (obviously with less velocity). The consensus is that he’s a future reliever due to the effort in his delivery
ESPN
Matthews is a very slight, unphysical left-hander with a strong commitment to Virginia who profiles best as a reliever in pro ball. He’ll touch 94 but sits with an average fastball and lacks projection in his frame. The breaking ball comes and goes but will flash plus. He’s a good athlete but an optimistic projection only gets him to an average fastball and he doesn’t look like he’ll be durable when going every fifth day.
Frankie Piliere–ScoutingBaseball.com
Sleeper: Most in the industry were surprised when Texas called Kevin Matthews’ name at 33rd overall. But, most of the initial reaction was very positive to the selection. Matthews has a smallish 5-foot-11 frame and is not overpowering, as he sat 88-90 mph with his fastball last summer, but it’s the advanced feel for pitching and his secondary pitches that leaves scouts impressed. Reports from scouts in the area have said that Matthews has shown more velocity this spring, and with that velocity coming around he has a chance to be a unique high school lefty with a combination of stuff and feel.”
Kipp Fagg–Rangers Director of Amateur Scouting
There are always exceptions to a rule and I think this kid is,” said Kip Fagg, Rangers’ director of amateur scouting. “This kid pitches with a chip and I like that…He’s very athletic and a kid whose makeup is special,” Fagg said. “We see big upside with him in a small frame. He’s got athleticism, three-pitch mix, strikes, competitiveness. There are a lot of things you can say are special with this kid.
THOUGHTS:
Matthews lacks size and features a repertoire that fails to really impress me. There really isn’t one pitch that blows me away. Nothing about him suggests that an increase of velocity is in his future either. Although he’s starting now, Matthews will likely end up in a relief role down the road. I suppose his ceiling is a back end starter or seventh inning reliever. His floor screams LOOGy though which seems more likely than his ceiling. One thing is certain, the Rangers definitely reached when they selected Matthews at 33.
—-
For more on the Texas Rangers, be sure to check out Nolan Writin
Follow us on Twitter: Nathaniel (@stoltz_baseball), Wally (@thebaseballfish) and James (@JAYRC_MCB). You can also keep up to date with all things S2S by liking our Facebook page.