Throughout the 2024 season, the Twins have received contributions from several young players, the most unlikely of whom has been Zebby Matthews. The Twins selected the 24-year-old righthander out of Western Carolina University in the eighth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. During his first full season in the minor leagues, Zebby threw 105.1 innings, striking out 112, walking 15, and finishing the season with a 3.84 ERA. The Twins’ front office then tweaked his mechanics, as they have done to other tall, righthanded mid-round draft picks like Baily Ober, Louie Varland, David Festa, and Joe Ryan. 

Zebby Matthews started the 2024 season with the Twins’ high-A affiliate. He pitched in just four games for the Kernels, going 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA while striking out 28 batters without walking anyone across 22.2 innings. The Twins quickly moved Zebby to AA, where he continued to dominate. Through 55.1 innings, he had a 1.95 ERA with a 63:6 K: BB ratio. Then, after his promotion to AAA, he struggled for the first time in his professional career.  He had a 5.68 ERA (over 19 innings), but he struck out 23 batters while walking only one. Zebby’s stats across all levels of the 2024 season are unbelievable:  He’s thrown 97 innings, striking out 114 batters and walking only 7. Seven!  His incredible command of the strike zone, mixed with improved velocity and spin rates, led to a 2.60 ERA and a 0.866 WHIP. 

Despite the rough patches at AAA, injuries to Joe Ryan and Chris Paddock forced the Twins to call Zebby to the big leagues. He answered that call, as he looked much more experienced than a player with just two minor-league seasons. He took the mound in a pivotal game against the Royals and outdueled Cy Young candidate Seth Lugo while the offense took care of the rest. Matthews threw five innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits, striking out five, and, not surprisingly, walking no one. Of his 77 pitches, he threw 38 fastballs (averaging 95 mph), 16 sliders, 15 cutters, four curveballs, and four change-ups. He threw 49 strikes with a whiff rate of 18% and a chase rate of 26%. His one mistake of the night came on a cutter, which MJ Melendez sent over the wall in right-center. 

Zebby Matthews pitched well. The Twins could not have asked for more from an inexperienced rookie who started the year in high-A. He took the mound during a playoff race against an inner-division rival, and he overshadowed one of this season’s best pitchers. This should give the Twins some optimism - his performance will likely earn him an extended look in the big leagues during the rest of the season. Zebby is a big part of the Twins’ future, but a solid stretch to end the season could earn him a spot on a potential playoff roster, whether as a starter or out of the bullpen.