Kent Matthes
| AB | 2159 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .261 |
| OBP | .321 |
| SLG | .473 |
| HR | 89 |
- Full name Kent Richard Matthes
- Born 01/08/1987 in Florence, SC
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Alabama
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Drafted in the 4th round (121st overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2009 (signed for $200,000).
View Draft Report
Matthes has never been drafted, even though he was an Aflac All-American in 2004 in high school and was a solid college player as a sophomore and junior, hitting 19 home runs over two seasons though his poor plate discipline (26 walks, 92 strikeouts) held him back. He has put it all together this season, however, prompting one area scout to call the fact that Matthes hasn't been drafted "an indictment of our industry." He has pro tools, and has since high school. He's athletic and a solid-average runner, as well as a good baserunner (27 for 30 on stolen bases the last three seasons), with an average to plus arm that most consider suitable for right field. He'd be an above-average defender in left field if he moves there, and he might because his arm doesn't play plus at times due to a long transfer. He has plenty of raw power, though some wonder if he'll produce enough game power for a corner outfield spot. Alabama coaches believe he started to pick up on breaking balls better during the team's fall tour of Cuba, and Matthes carried that confidence into the spring. As he improved his approach, he turned his power into production, leading Division I with 28 home runs. He made more consistent contact and drove the ball to all fields, helping him hit .365 after entering the season with a .293 career average. Matthes doesn't have major mechanical issues with his swing, so continued improvement with his patience and pitch recognition will determine how his power carries over.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Three different injuries have slowed Matthes in each of the past three seasons. A torn patellar tendon in his left knee limited him to 21 games at Asheville in 2010, and his 2011 season at Modesto ended after 93 games when a pitch hit him and broke his left hand--though he still won the California League MVP award. A right oblique strain cut short his 2012 season at Tulsa after 94 games. Matthes' power and arm give him two plus tools. The lingering effects of his hand injury and a right groin strain he sustained just prior to spring training last year led to a slow start at Tulsa. Trying to repeat the strong season he had in Modesto, he admitted that he pressed badly. His intensity level can be a problem, as he tries too hard to hit the ball with maximum effort, which can prevent him from keeping the bat in the zone for a long time. Before his oblique injury, he was slowing down somewhat and staying back rather than charging for the ball. In spite of his injuries he's an average runner, and with one of the strongest arms in the system he fits well in right field, where he's a solid defender. Matthes benefited from making up some at-bats in the Arizona Fall League, though the Rockies declined to protect him on their 40-man roster and he went unpicked in the Rule 5 draft. He'll have a chance to move up to Triple-A in 2013. -
Matthes hobbled through 21 games in 2010 before having surgery on a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, an injury that occurred while working out before spring training. He came back to win the California League MVP award and lead the circuit in slugging (.642) in 2011, though his season ended when a pitch broke his left hand on Aug. 3. Matthes' bat speed and power are as good as any Rockies farmhand's. He has more of a flat than an uphill swing, and his homers tend to be high line drives. He has very strong hands but lacks a fluid, easy stroke. It's better than the aluminum-bat swing he brought into pro ball, which led to excessive strikeouts in his first two pro seasons. Matthes does a good job of covering all quadrants of the strike zone, though he still has to prove he can handle quality offspeed pitches. While he doesn't chase many pitches, he also walks infrequently. Despite his knee injury, Matthes still has solid speed. He has one of the strongest arms in the system and average range, though he sometimes loses focus in right field. Because he signed as a college senior and lost a year to injury, Matthes will be 25 when he gets to Double-A in 2012. Colorado wants to see how he handles more advanced pitching to get a better read on him. -
Matthes was an Aflac All-American in high school and performed well as a sophomore and junior at Alabama, yet he went undrafted until putting up big numbers his senior season in 2009. Matthes became the first Alabama player to earn Southeastern Conference player of the year honors, hitting .358 with an NCAA Division I-leading 28 homers. After signing for $200,000 as a fourth-round pick, Matthes built on that success with a solid pro debut, topping the short-season Northwest League with 23 doubles. His power started to blossom when he began to improve his pitch-recognition skills during Alabama's tour of Cuba in the fall of 2008. He has a sound swing and drives the ball to all fields, but needs to be more selective. He's a solid athlete and runner who could become an above-average defender on an outfield corner. He has enough arm to play right field but would fit better in left. Given his age and performance record, Matthes could jump over Class A and open 2010 at Tulsa.
Minor League Top Prospects
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The Southeastern Conference player of the year as an Alabama senior in 2009, Matthes struck out excessively in his pro debut that summer and missed most of last season following knee injury. He came back in a big way in 2011, winning the Cal League MVP award and leading the league in slugging (.642) despite breaking his left hand on Aug. 3. Matthes has remade his metal-bat swing and now makes consistent contact with enough loft in his swing for his drvies to carry out of the park. He doesn't chase many pitches out of the zone, but he rarely draws walks and can be prone to mistiming pitches. He has solid speed and could become a decent basestealing threat as he refines his technique. A right fielder with above-average arm strength, Matthes sometimes loses focus on defense. He also needs to improve his first-step quickness.
Best Tools List
- Rated Best Power Hitter in the Colorado Rockies in 2012
- Rated Best Power Hitter in the Colorado Rockies in 2010
Scouting Reports
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Background: Matthes hobbled through 21 games in 2010 before undergoing surgery on a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, an injury that occurred while working out before spring training. He came back to win the California League MVP award and lead the circuit in slugging (.642) in 2011, though his season ended when a pitch broke his left hand on Aug. 3. Scouting Report: Matthes' bat speed and power are as good as any Rockies farmhand's. He has more of a flat than an uphill swing, and his homers tend to be high line drives. He has very strong hands but lacks a fluid, easy stroke. It's better than the aluminum-bat swing he brought into pro ball, which led to excessive strikeouts in his first two pro seasons. Matthes does a good job of covering all quadrants of the strike zone, though he still has to prove he can handle quality offspeed pitches. While he doesn't chase many pitches, he also walks infrequently. Despite his knee injury, Matthes still has solid speed. He has one of the strongest arms in the system and average range, though he sometimes loses focus in right field. The Future: Because he signed as a college senior and lost a year to injury Matthes will be 25 when he gets to Double-A in 2012. Colorado wants to see how he handles more advanced pitching to get a better read on him.
