Mark Mathias Stats & Scouting Report

AB	179
AVG	.246
OBP	.317
SLG	.391
HR	6

Full name Mark Andrew Mathias
Born 08/02/1994 in Santa Clara, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Debut 08/04/2020
Drafted in the 3rd round (93rd overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2015 (signed for $550,000).

View Draft Report

Mathias jumped to the fore in 2014. After playing just 17 games as a freshman, he hit .386 as a junior to lead the Big West Conference. He earned a spot on USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team, playing first, second and third base and often hitting in the middle of the order. However, Mathias injured the labrum in his right shoulder during the summer, and a fall of rest and rehab didn't help enough. He had surgery in December, missed 10 of Cal Poly's first 11 games and didn't play in the field until March 31 after 17 games as a DH. Mathias' power has sagged a bit, due in part to the shoulder, but he continues to control the strike zone and make contact at a high rate from his low-hands stance. Mathias has to hit, because his other tools--including power--are unremarkable. He's a fringy defender and runner, but his hitting ability stands out in the class.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Since winning the Big West Conference batting title as a Cal Poly sophomore in 2014, Mathias has battled injuries to stay on the field. He injured the labrum in his right shoulder while playing for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team in the summer of 2014 and was limited the next year as he recovered from surgery. He had a healthy first full professional season, reaching Double-A Akron, but was again bothered by shoulder injuries in 2017. Mathias missed the first month of the season after dislocating his left shoulder in spring training and landed back on the disabled list later in the season with more shoulder trouble. When healthy, Mathias has lived up to his reputation as a pure hitter. He has one of the best approaches in the organization because he controls the barrel well and is a patient, disciplined hitter. He has below-average power, but does a good job of driving the balls in gaps. Mathias was drafted as a second baseman, but offers defensive versatility. He mostly played third base during his abbreviated 2017 and has also seen some time at shortstop. As an everyday player, Mathias profiles best at second base, but his average arm and speed give him a chance to be a utility infielder. First, however, he needs to show he can stay healthy. He'll return to Double-A Akron in 2018.
Mathias won the Big West Conference batting title as a Cal Poly sophomore in 2014 but was limited the following spring by a right shoulder injury that required labrum surgery. Since returning to full health, he has continued to build his reputation for hitting. Mathias rose to Double-A Akron in 2016, the year after being drafted. He has one of the best plate approaches in the organization because he controls the barrel well and is a patient, disciplined hitter. He has below-average power but does a good job of driving balls into the gaps, and he ranked third in the system with 40 doubles in 2016. Mathias has primarily been a second baseman, but he has the versatility to play anywhere in the infield, even playing 19 games at shortstop as a pro. He profiles best at second base, where he is a capable defender with above-average arm strength and speed. After getting a taste of the upper minors late in 2016, Mathias will return to Akron to open the 2017 season.
Mathias won the Big West Conference batting title as a sophomore in 2014 and put together a solid summer with USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team. But he suffered a right shoulder injury that even- tually required labrum surgery to repair. He missed the start of Cal Poly's season and was then limited to DH duties until the end of March. But he kept hitting, both in college and during his pro debut. Mathias stands out the most for his advanced feel at the plate. He controls the strike zone and has a good feel for the barrel. He didn't hit for much power even before his injury, but as he returns to full strength he could develop enough pop to produce 10-12 home runs annually. Mathias showed a bit of defensive versatility before his injury, playing first, second and third base for Team USA. He profiles best at second base, where he can be a capable defender. His arm strength, if it comes all the way back, is about average, as is his speed. Coming off a solid showing at short-season Mahoning Valley, Mathias is ready to try his hand at full-season ball, possibly at high Class A Lynchburg in 2016.

Draft Prospects

Mathias jumped to the fore in 2014. After playing just 17 games as a freshman, he hit .386 as a junior to lead the Big West Conference. He earned a spot on USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team, playing first, second and third base and often hitting in the middle of the order. However, Mathias injured the labrum in his right shoulder during the summer, and a fall of rest and rehab didn't help enough. He had surgery in December, missed 10 of Cal Poly's first 11 games and didn't play in the field until March 31 after 17 games as a DH. Mathias' power has sagged a bit, due in part to the shoulder, but he continues to control the strike zone and make contact at a high rate from his low-hands stance. Mathias has to hit, because his other tools--including power--are unremarkable. He's a fringy defender and runner, but his hitting ability stands out in the class.

Minor League Top Prospects

After a standout sophomore season at Cal Poly, Mathias injured his right shoulder playing for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team, had labrum surgery in December 2014 and missed a month of the subsequent spring season. But he still managed to lead the Mustangs in hitting (.356/.424/.436), and he continued to hit in the NYP this summer. Mathias makes contact at a consistent rate, sprays the gaps and displays advanced plate discipline and bat control. More a doubles hitter than a home-run hitter, he likely would have put a few more balls in the seats this summer had he played at a more hitter-friendly ballpark than Mahoning Valley's Eastwood Field. Mathias played first and third base in college, but he played second base exclusively for the Scrappers. He has an accurate arm and ranges well to his right, but he is a fringy runner and defender overall. He will need to hit to reach the next level.

Career Transactions

Louisville Bats placed 2B Mark Mathias on the full-season injured list.
Louisville Bats placed 2B Mark Mathias on the 60-day injured list.
San Francisco Giants recalled 2B Mark Mathias from Sacramento River Cats.
San Francisco Giants recalled 2B Mark Mathias from Sacramento River Cats.
Seattle Mariners traded 2B Mark Mathias, CF AJ Pollock and cash to San Francisco Giants for Player To Be Named Later.
Seattle Mariners traded 2B Mark Mathias, CF AJ Pollock and cash to San Francisco Giants for Player To Be Named Later.
2B Mark Mathias assigned to Sacramento River Cats.
2B Mark Mathias roster status changed by Seattle Mariners.
2B Mark Mathias assigned to Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners claimed 2B Mark Mathias off waivers from Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates designated 2B Mark Mathias for assignment.
Indianapolis Indians activated 2B Mark Mathias.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned 2B Mark Mathias to Indianapolis Indians.
Indianapolis Indians activated 2B Mark Mathias.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned 2B Mark Mathias to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled 2B Mark Mathias from Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled 2B Mark Mathias from Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned 2B Mark Mathias to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned 2B Mark Mathias to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled 2B Mark Mathias, and from Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned 2B Mark Mathias to Indianapolis Indians.
Indianapolis Indians activated 2B Mark Mathias.
Texas Rangers traded 2B Mark Mathias to Pittsburgh Pirates.