Age: 25
Born: February 9, 1994
St. Louis, MO
Height: 6-0
Weight: 200
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 4th round, 2015 ; 23rd round, 2012 by St. Louis
How Acquired: Draft
College: Missouri State
High School: Westminster Christian Academy (MO)

Photo © Dave Letizi

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2015 Top 40 Season in Review
Scouting Scratch (7.20.16)

Physical Description: Looks his listed height and weight of 6-foot-0, 200 pounds. Doesn’t stand out physically. Minimal projection remaining, but could stand to get stronger.

Hit: Starts square with his hands high and has a wide base. Utilizes a toe tap and ends in a good hitting position. Average bat speed and has length in his swing. Looks to inside-out the ball often, and makes a lot of weak contact either on the ground to the left side or in the air to right field. Will struggle against velocity as he moves up the ladder. Approach is still on the rudimentary side. Needs to cut down on the swing-and-miss in his game. Potential fringe-average hit tool.

Power: Not a major part of his game. Lacks the bat speed or loft in his swing to profile as a power threat. Struggles to square the ball up to left field, with almost all of his contact in the air to right side of second base. Below-average raw power and power potential.

Arm: Average arm strength, but is accurate and would profile at all three outfield positions.

Field: Potential solid-average defender. Makes up for his lack of speed with solid instincts, a quick first step, and good reads, taking efficient routes.

Run: Below-average speed, but solid instincts on the base paths that will allow him to steal a handful of bases a year.

Career Notes: Son of former University of Michigan and Major League catcher and current St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny. Participated in 2015 and 2016 Fall Instructional League.

Summation: Potential fourth or fifth outfielder if everything turns out right. Doesn’t have any tool that projects to be better than average. Even though he lacks speed, his defensive profile and versatility could prove valuable in a bench role. Defensive profile takes some pressure off bat, but will still have to show he can hit enough to keep pitchers honest.