FORT MYERS, Fla. - Zebby Matthews is a name to watch as he looks to refine his craft on the mound. With a year of big-league experience under his belt, the Minnesota Twins pitcher is on a mission to sharpen his command and solidify his spot in the starting rotation.
Matthews has shown he has the tools, evidenced by 131 strikeouts over 117 innings. Yet, his 5.92 ERA tells the tale of inconsistency that has kept the former top-100 prospect from fully breaking through.
As the Twins kick off their exhibition season against the University of Minnesota, Matthews is among the young pitchers vying for those coveted final spots in the rotation.
“He’s really talented,” catcher Ryan Jeffers remarked. “The key for him is to grow his feel for pitch placement. Every successful starter needs to command the zone and know when to step out of it.”
Matthews’ fastball, ranked in the 80th percentile for velocity, and his swing-and-miss slider are potent weapons. However, pinpoint accuracy remains a challenge.
Last season, hitters feasted on his four-seam fastball, batting .357 with a .616 slugging percentage against it. Matthews’ 1.8 home runs per nine innings over the past two seasons rank him among the highest in the league.
Twins manager Derek Shelton emphasized the need for Matthews to master his strike zone control. “He’s got the stuff, but it’s about using the plate wisely and avoiding the middle. That’s where he’s gotten into trouble,” Shelton explained.
At 25, Matthews is still developing. Drafted in the eighth round out of Western Carolina University in 2022, he made a rapid rise to the majors by August 2024.
Last season, Matthews showed flashes of brilliance, pitching at least five innings and allowing two or fewer earned runs in six starts. Yet, he also had outings where he struggled, allowing four or more earned runs in seven starts.
Drawing inspiration from Charlie Morton’s late-career surge, Matthews is focused on execution. “I’ve got the pitches. Now it’s about fine-tuning and executing like the league’s best,” he said.
With three spots technically open in the rotation due to Pablo López’s injury, Matthews faces stiff competition. Taj Bradley and Simeon Woods Richardson are likely to claim two spots, leaving Matthews to battle with David Festa, Mick Abel, and Andrew Morris for the final position.
“He knows the competition is fierce,” Jeffers noted. “It’s going to push them all to perform.”
Matthews is eager for the challenge, confident in his abilities, and ready to step up. “Everyone’s path is different. I’m learning from my experiences and from veterans on how to bounce back and trust in my skills,” he shared.
As the spring unfolds, all eyes will be on Matthews to see if he can translate potential into performance.