Twins Minor League Report (4/1): Zebby Matthews Wrecks the Clippers, Saints Dominate Again

[Steve Lein]

The legend started to be written last season, when he made it all the way from the lakes of single-A to the oceans of the major leagues. Unfortunately for the Columbus Clippers on Tuesday, they ran into this kraken trapped in the great lake of triple-A who goes by the name of Zebby, and he sent their ship to the bottoms.

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (photo of Zebby Matthews)

TRANSACTIONS
There were no roster moves in the organization on Tuesday, but the Cedar Rapids Kernels have announced their opening day roster. They, along with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels and Wichita Wind Surge kick off their seasons on Friday.

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 5, Columbus 0
Box Score
The Saints were only able to get in one of three games against Indianapolis last week, as rain and snow wreaked havoc on St. Paul over the weekend. They’re on the road in Columbus, Ohio this week to face the Clippers, so weather like that shouldn’t be as big of a factor.

On the mound in the series opener on Tuesday was 2024 Twins and Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Zebby Matthews. But before he even took the mound the Saints offense spotted him to a 2-0 lead and knocked the Clippers starter out of the game in the process.

Luke Keaschall reached base on a one-out error before Armando Alvarez and Mike Ford drew a pair of two-out walks to load the bases. Jair Camargo then sent a 111 MPH liner through the infield to bring in two runs and chase pitcher Will Dion who had already reached 33 pitches.

Matthews made quick work of the Clippers in the bottom half, striking out the first two hitters he faced during the 2025 season, and setting them down one-two-three. He allowed a two-out single in the second inning, but then retired the next 10 hitters he faced to finish five shutout innings in dominating fashion. He needed just 57 pitches, with 37 going for strikes (65%) and picking up nine swings-and-misses. His four-seam fastball hit 99.2 MPH, while his cutter topped out at 94.7 and his slider at 90.6. From start to finish Matthews was in control of this one, and looked like a guy confident that he was going to shove.

The Saints offense scored a run in each of the game’s first four innings to build a 5-0 lead. Luke Keaschall was hit by a pitch in the second inning while the bases were loaded, Mike Ford launched the first Saints home run of the season in the third, and Armando Alvarez delivered an RBI single in the fourth.

Travis Adams came on for the sixth inning to work as a piggy-backer to Matthews. Because of the two rain-outs over the weekend, this was likely the game Adams was originally scheduled to start.He finished the next 2 2/3 innings, allowing four hits but no runs, while striking out two.

Anthony Misiewicz got the final out of the eighth inning and closed out the ninth in one-two-three fashion as well. He struck out three.

The Saints bats went a little quiet after the first four innings, but those five runs were plenty. Austin Martin (2-for-5, BB, K) and Alvarez (2-for-4, R, RBI, BB, K) each had a pair of hits to lead the way. Keaschall finished 1-for-3, scored two runs, and drove in one.

That’s two games in the books for the Saints vaunted pitching staff, and two shutouts. It will be up to Andrew Morris to continue that trend tomorrow night.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day - Zebby Matthews, St. Paul Saints (W, 5 IP, H, 4 K)
Hitter of the Day - Armando Alvarez, St. Paul Saints (2-for-4, R, RBI, BB, K)

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on our Twins Top 20 prospects after seeing how they did on Tuesday.

#2 – Emmanuel Rodriguez (St. Paul): 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
#3 – Luke Keaschall (St. Paul): 1-for-3, 2 R, RBI

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Columbus (5:15 PM CDT) - RHP Andrew Morris (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games!

 

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[Mike Sixel]

Keaschell ok?

[mark allen]

zebby needs to be on 26man

[SD happy]

14 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Keaschell ok?

He played in the field tonight at 2B. Since he’s been mostly DH all spring, I’m assuming they didn’t want him to play a full 9 innings.

[tony&rodney]

Austin Martin had a couple of highlight plays in leftfield. Keaschall looked fine at second base considering the time off from field play in games. He did get hit on his hand but there wasn't a report during the game. Matthews looked really good and it seemed like he was using a few pitches to work on getting swings out of the zone. Much like Festa last week, Matthews could have gone 8 innings. It makes some sense to pull him early in consideration of a promotion by May. Tough to judge Adams because there was such a significant difference in stuff compared to Zebby, but Adams pitched well.

[MMMordabito]

Austin Martin made a couple of really nice defensive plays in left field.  He had to go up and over the wall to get an out on a foul ball in the third, and then he nailed a runner at home with a nice throw for a double-play in the 6th.  

🥷

Edited April 2, 2025 by MMMordabito
Ninja'd

[Dman]

Matthews was very efficient throwing 5 innings on 57 pitches to Adams 2.2 innings on 53 pitches. Zebby looked in control and the batters seemed so frustrated being down 0-2 all the time.  He just kept throwing strikes and it seemed like they wanted to make him work so they didn't swing early all that much.  It didn't work out well for them IMO.

The whole Saints team had lot's of good at bats making their pitchers work and they drew 10 walks.  It paid to be patient and players laid off of some tough pitches.  Approaches were very good for the most part all night.

Was not impressed with Cartaya.  It looked like he was trying to be patient but the swing just looks stiff to me with too much swing and miss.  Feels like a long way to with the bat IMO but it was cold out there so maybe when the weather warms he'll look better?

This is going to be a fun team to watch.  Probably more fun than watching the Twins.

[ryan189]

7 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Austin Martin had a couple of highlight plays in leftfield. Keaschall looked fine at second base considering the time off from field play in games. He did get hit on his hand but there wasn't a report during the game. Matthews looked really good and it seemed like he was using a few pitches to work on getting swings out of the zone. Much like Festa last week, Matthews could have gone 8 innings. It makes some sense to pull him early in consideration of a promotion by May. Tough to judge Adams because there was such a significant difference in stuff compared to Zebby, but Adams pitched well.

not tough to judge adams topped out a 96.3 no walks 1 hard hit the ball over the bag was foul and the first hit play was probably a error was a easy pick. zebby looked great the confidence is there looks like he has taken the next step  pitching so far has been lights out

[ryan189]

18 minutes ago, Dman said:

Matthews was very efficient throwing 5 innings on 57 pitches to Adams 2.2 innings on 53 pitches. Zebby looked in control and the batters seemed so frustrated being down 0-2 all the time.  He just kept throwing strikes and it seemed like they wanted to make him work so they didn't swing early all that much.  It didn't work out well for them IMO.

The whole Saints team had lot's of good at bats making their pitchers work and they drew 10 walks.  It paid to be patient and players laid off of some tough pitches.  Approaches were very good for the most part all night.

Was not impressed with Cartaya.  It looked like he was trying to be patient but the swing just looks stiff to me with too much swing and miss.  Feels like a long way to with the bat IMO but it was cold out there so maybe when the weather warms he'll look better?

This is going to be a fun team to watch.  Probably more fun than watching the Twins.

11 pitch last batter for adams ran up the pitches on adams and the bad fielding in the first cost him a lot of pitches still had 7 whiffs to zebby 10 

[Doctor Wu]

7 hours ago, Dman said:

This is going to be a fun team to watch.  Probably more fun than watching the Twins.

It's early days, but you may be right on target with that assessment.

[Doctor Wu]

Very happy to see the Saints playing ball again, and more importantly to see these Minor League reports back for another season. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[LambchoP]

It was only one start and he'll have to keep getting these results, but Zebby sure seems ready to take the next step. Now hitting 99 mph with his control sounds deadly. If Paddack continues to struggle and Mathews keeps this up, maybe they send Paddack to the pen as the long man and get Zebby up in the rotation a month or so from now.

[JD-TWINS]

Another very good start for Matthews next week and they’ll be clamoring for him to replace Paddack in Minneapolis! Hope so.

Paddack needs to shift to PEN - Monday’s 96-97MPH in first inning down to 91MPH in the third inning paints the picture on how he/his arm/team benefits by him throwing 1-2 inning outings with max effort in relief!!

[Doctor Wu]

1 minute ago, JD-TWINS said:

Paddack needs to shift to PEN - Monday’s 96-97MPH in first inning down to 91MPH in the third inning paints the picture on how he/his arm/team benefits by him throwing 1-2 inning outings with max effort in relief!!

He keeps showing that trend in the next start or two, your suggestion might be heeded by the Twins. 

[Doctor Gast]

Another great Saints game, I wished the Twins were rained out & Saints could play instead, Great pitching & great hitting. INFer Martin played a great LF & got on base 3X as a leadoff hitter.

[Steve Lein]

10 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Keaschell ok?

He got hit with a pitch on the hands but that was early in the game. He was substituted in the 8th inning and was likely just because they were up 5-0.

[Steve Lein]

10 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Austin Martin had a couple of highlight plays in leftfield. 

10 hours ago, MMMordabito said:

Austin Martin made a couple of really nice defensive plays in left field.  He had to go up and over the wall to get an out on a foul ball in the third, and then he nailed a runner at home with a nice throw for a double-play in the 6th.  

🥷

Definitely made some plays last night. There was also a long run sliding catch he made as well. I put the outfield assist tweet in there to highlight that he had a really good defensive game in left field.

[Steve Lein]

10 hours ago, Dman said:

Was not impressed with Cartaya.  It looked like he was trying to be patient but the swing just looks stiff to me with too much swing and miss.  Feels like a long way to with the bat IMO but it was cold out there so maybe when the weather warms he'll look better?

This is going to be a fun team to watch.  Probably more fun than watching the Twins.

He also challenged a strike 3 call that was well within the zone when the graphic came up. Gave me a chuckle.

This team should be really good. A little lacking in offense to start the season maybe, but have a few studs and this pitching staff should be really, really good.

[tony&rodney]

10 hours ago, Dman said:

Was not impressed with Cartaya.  It looked like he was trying to be patient but the swing just looks stiff to me with too much swing and miss.  Feels like a long way to with the bat IMO but it was cold out there so maybe when the weather warms he'll look better?

Agree that Cartaya needs to work on his swing. He does seem to be improving on recognizing pitches compared to when I watched him a few times last season. Time will tell with his bat.

On the other hand, Cartaya looks pretty good behind the plate. He is quick blocking the ball. Cartaya is still young and if he can improve just a bit he has an MLB future. 

[twinstalker]

On 4/1/2025 at 10:48 PM, Dman said:

Was not impressed with Cartaya.  It looked like he was trying to be patient but the swing just looks stiff to me with too much swing and miss. 

That's why he was free.