Zebby Matthews' Command Has Him on a Meteoric Minor League Run

ST. PAUL– Things have been moving very quickly this season for Twins right-handed prospect Daniel Zebulon Matthews, better known as Zebby Matthews . 

The 24-year-old has jumped from High-A Cedar Rapids to Triple-A St. Paul in a matter of two and a half months. His rise through the system has been a surprise to some, but when you look at his strikeout-to-walk numbers, it makes sense why he’s where he is today. 

“Any department in the org you talk to, they know Zebby works his butt off, and it shows a lot,” says Cedar Rapids pitching coach Jonas Lovin. 

Matthews himself is modest about his quick jump through the Twins' minor league system this season. It’s been an unexpected journey to make it this fast from high-A to triple-A, but he’s not overthinking the call-up.

“I didn’t think much about it, to be honest,” said Matthews. “I just show up to the field and try to do my job to the best of my ability and let the results and everything else take care of themselves. It’s awesome to be here. Everyone’s goals are completely different, but for me, it’s just another step along the journey.”

The results certainly have taken care of themselves this year. Between the three levels he’s pitched, Matthews has compiled a 1.95 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, a .188 opponent batting average, and an insanely high 16+ strikeout-to-walk ratio in 83 innings of work across 15 games. 

The numbers he’s posted on the mound have garnered a lot of attention within the Twins organization and by fans. Saints Manager Toby Gardenhire had not seen him pitch until his first start with the team on Sunday, July 21. He was impressed, to say the least.

“He’s throwing in the upper 90s with his fastball and his cutter’s one that he’s throwing low-to-mid 90s,” said Gardenhire. “He’s got a really good breaking ball he throws it really good over the plate so it’s a pretty good recipe for good pitching. If he can do all that stuff like we saw the other day, he’s going to be really good.” 

Matthews worked hard to improve his off-speed pitches this off-season. Matthews was by no means bad for the Cedar Rapids Kernels last year, but he had room for improvement. He had a 4.59 ERA in 66 ⅔ innings and allowed 13 home runs in high-A. 

The home run issue has been fixed, as he has only allowed four this year. So have the off-speed pitches, but Matthews admits he still has room for growth with those. 

“They’re still a work in progress, fine-tuning those and trying to make them better and be more comfortable throwing the changeup, that was another big piece for me. I’m still working on that but being able to throw that to lefties and righties has been a big step. The velocity jump has also been a big help there,” Matthews said.  

Once Matthews arrived in Spring Training and got to work with his off-speed tweaks with Lovin, they were able to hone in on what would work best for him. 

“He had a couple of outings in Spring Training against tough competition where those pitches played really well. You never really know until you get in season how that stuff is going to work and it seemed like it clicked pretty well for him. It’s honestly been a big separator for him this year, adding that new slider and improving the cutter a little bit,” said Lovin.  

As the season has progressed, Matthews has become much more comfortable using off-speed pitches in counts in which he falls behind. They may not be noticeable to the average fan’s naked eye when he’s jumping through the system so quickly, but he feels the difference each time he’s on the mound and shows off his impeccable command. 

“I think all the off-speed pitches, I think I have the ability to get them all in zone. Some like the cutter, slider, and curveball are a little better but I think a lot of it is just the confidence piece and trusting that throwing in the zone and still good enough to get guys out,” said Matthews. 

The command of the strike zone has always been there for Matthews since he learned how to pick up and throw a baseball. It’s a rare feat to have at such a young age, but it’s stuck with him as he’s struck out 97 hitters this year and only walked six. 

“I think a lot of it comes from the mechanics' side, like having repeatable mechanics, having a good feel for the ball out of my hand, it definitely has a factor in it. But then also I think it’s a big confidence piece of trusting my stuff, whether I throw it in the zone or out, it’s good enough to get guys out. I think it’s a combination of those things,” Matthews said.

While Lovin hasn’t seen him pitch since May 3 as Matthews was called up to Double-A Wichita two days later, he knows Matthews is putting in all the work he needs to and some more, to keep rising through the system. 

“He’s genuinely one of the most hardest-working players that I have ever coached. He holds himself to a high standard, is constantly looking for ways to make himself better, whether that’s on the mound or the weight room,” Lovin said. 

Off the field, Matthews receives a lot of support from his family. His parents and brother were able to make it to his first Triple-A start Sunday in Toledo. They had seen a few out in Wichita, but the drive was much shorter to Ohio from his hometown Cullowhee, North Carolina than it was out to Kansas and other cities in the Texas League. 

“They wanted to make it out to the first one. It was the closest I’ll be to home, so they definitely wanted to make the drive up there,” Matthews said. 

But it’s not just his parents and brothers showing up as often as they can to support him for his starts. He will still have some family in the stands for his CHS Field debut this weekend as his wife, Kendall, will be in the stands to see him on the mound. Kendall Matthews is still in school becoming a physical assistant making it hard to get to every one of her husband’s starts, but does her best to make it as often as she can. 

“I’m newly married, November 11 last year, but it’s been awesome. She’s helped tremendously. You know, through all the ups and downs she’s been there. She’s known me since high school. She’s seen me grow, struggle, fail, succeed, all that sort of stuff. She keeps me level-headed and where I need to be,” said Matthews. 

Despite all the quick changes Matthews has gone through this year, it’s been all for the better for him. And while he has moved on from working with coaches like Lovin, Lovin himself knows that Matthews will continue to rise to each challenge that is brought his way.

“I am hoping for the best for him in Triple-A as well. I’m sure there will be new challenges that arise, but that’s the fun part of this job and the fun part about baseball. A lot of times when you have these quick moments of success, that can get to your head a little bit, but that’s not Zebby,” added Lovin. 

Matthews is set to make his next start for the Saints on Saturday against the Omaha Storm Chasers.

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