Matthews has 15 HR and 26 SB in 61 games this year. Factor in that for at least a handful of those games he was injured or still recovering from injury, and that’s an extremely impressive first full pro season. 30/30 numbers from a guy who can play SS or 3B is a potential superstar. With as raw as he was coming in he may have a better chance than most prospects to be able to fix his strikeout issues.
I feel comfortable saying this: Brice Matthews is the 3rd best SS prospect Houston has had in the last 15 years, after Correa and Bregman. Going back further, I can only think of Zobrist and Thon who might’ve been better.
Looking at Matthews compared to past SS prospects prompted me to look at fangraphs data since 2006 across all positions. Here’s my Top 5 Astros prospects of the last 20 years by position: C: 1. Jason Castro 2009 2. JR Towles 2007 3. Yainer Diaz 2022 4. Korey Lee 2021 5. Garrett Stubbs 2016 1B: 1. AJ Reed 2015 2. Jon Singleton 2012 3. Seth Beer 2019 4. Tyler White 2015 5. Telvin Nash 2014 2B: 1. Jose Altuve 2011 2. Enrique Hernandez 2013 3. Tony Kemp 2015 4. Enmanuel Valdez 2022 5. Josh Rojas 2019 SS: 1. Carlos Correa 2015 2. Alex Bregman 2016 3. Brice Matthews 2023 4. Jonathan Villar 2011 5. Ben Zobrist 2006 3B: 1. Colin Moran 2014 2. JD Davis 2016 3. Abraham Toro 2019 4. Chris Johnson 2008 5. Zach Dezenzo 2023 RF: 1. Kyle Tucker 2017 2. Hunter Pence 2006 3. Domingo Santana 2013 4. Ramon Laureano 2016 5. Teoscar Hernandez 2016 CF: 1. George Springer 2013 2. Delino DeShields Jr 2014 3. Jacob Melton 2024 4. Drew Gilbert 2023 5. Derek Fisher 2016 LF: 1. Yordan Alvarez 2018 2. JD Martinez 2011 3. Preston Tucker 2013 4. Justin Dirden 2022 5. Jason Martin 2017 Honorable Mention: C: Max Stassi, Walker Janek IF: Nolan Fontana, Shay Whitcomb, Jack Mayfield, Tommy Manzella, Jio Mier, Jonathan Arauz, Jeremy Pena, Taylor Jones, Drew Sutton, Will Wagner OF: Brian Bogusevic, Brandon Barnes, Joey Loperfido, Chas McCormick, Zach Cole, Brett Phillips, Ronnie Dawson, Myles Straw, Pedro Leon, Andrew Aplin, Jon Kemmer, Austin Wates, Jake Goebbert The amount of talent the came thru Corpus in 2016 is insane.
One caveat: Bregman was a SS at LSU, yes, and he played SS and 3B in the minors, but I'm not sure he was ever considered a SS (outside of emergency) by the Stros. eta: Thanks for the Telvin Nash mention, and I lol'd at JR the Rodeo Clown as your #2 catcher
I didn't realize Matthews was a hometown boy. That makes it even more awesome if he becomes a superstar.
I don’t remember Bregman being labeled as a 3B prior to being called up. All the stuff I read from before the draft and during his time in the minors never dinged his defense at SS. But yeah I don’t think he could be a SS now. Towles had a 7 RBI game when he first came up. I thought he was going to be badass. His MLB numbers are weird; low low k rates and ok walk rates and ISO but insanely low BABIP.
Zobrist was never really a SS, although he did try to play there for a bit in MLB. Thon would have been a superstar. He's way up on the list of Astros "couldabeens"
From MLB.com before the draft: Because of his size, tools and aggressive nature at the plate, he regularly gets compared to Dustin Pedroia. Like Pedroia, he appeared to be a college shortstop headed for second base in pro ball, but Bregman has looked better defensively this spring and may be able to stick at short. His arm and instincts allow him to make plays there, and he shows range to both sides. Those Altuve and Correa guys were kind of blocking him up the middle, so I assume 3B was the Stros plan all along. Fangraphs mentioned he could end up in LF, if not 3B. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/scouting-astros-call-up-alex-bregman/
Ooh good topic. My guesses for AFL options this year: C: Miguel Palma, John Garcia, Luis Encarnacion IF: Brice Matthews, Narbe Cruz, Anthony Sherwin OF: Zach Cole, Yamal Encarnacion, Rolando Espinosa
They rarely send the top prospects. I would guess no Brice. But I may be wrong under Dana. Last year was: Blubaugh Dezenzo Kenny Corona Guilfoil and blah blah blah So maybe this year is also nice?
Palma for whatever reason cannot seem to stay healthy. But back on topic, he'd be a good pick to go to the desert. Miguel Palma Tommy Sacco Narbe Cruz (he's steadily improved each season, could be on breakout watch next year) Zach Cole (Quincy Hamilton could fit here too) James Hicks Jose Fleury Logan VanWey I wouldn't rule out Brice Matthews either considering the time he's missed this year.
