No. 6 prospect Matthews expected to make MLB debut Tuesday

MINNEAPOLIS -- It’s only 257 miles from the home of the Twins’ High-A affiliate in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Target Field, as the crow flies. In baseball terms, though, the two points are quite a ways apart. But Zebby Matthews is on track to complete the journey in under a year.

The Twins’ No. 6 prospect is expected to be called up Tuesday to make his MLB debut against the Kansas City Royals. Matthews, who has jumped three levels since beginning his season at High-A Cedar Rapids, was notified on Sunday by Triple-A St. Paul manager Toby Gardenhire that he would not be joining the Saints on their trip to Indianapolis because Matthews’ presence was requested by the big league club across town.

“I knew something was up,” Matthews said while standing inside the Twins’ clubhouse on Monday. “I didn’t know what was going on, to be honest. It was the first call-up that I think I’ve actually been a part of with the team, so it was really cool to get to The Show. The whole team was really excited for me, which was awesome.”

Daniel Zebulon Matthews, who said he’s always gone by Zebby, was the Twins’ eighth-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. In his first two professional seasons, the 6-foot-5 right-hander has worked his way up from Rookie Ball to High-A Cedar Rapids, where he began this season at No. 20 in the Twins’ Top 30 Prospects list.

That’s when he began compiling eye-popping stats. It started with a 3-0 record and 1.59 ERA in four starts for the Kernels. That earned him a promotion to Double-A Wichita, where he went 2-1 with a 1.95 ERA in nine starts (10 appearances). Finally, he made four starts for St. Paul, where he hit a bit of a rough patch.

He pitched to a 5.68 ERA in four starts in Triple-A, but with the Twins losing veteran starters Chris Paddack and Joe Ryan to injuries, their young pitchers will be given an opportunity to shine as Minnesota makes its postseason push.

Matthews uses his five-pitch mix to baffle opposing hitters with pinpoint control, which has helped him strike out 114 batters to just seven walks in 97 innings.

“Having the confidence in my pitches now this year has been a big help,” Matthews said of his success. “Last year we kept tinkering with stuff, trying to find stuff that works, and when we got to Spring Training this year we made some adjustments and found some stuff that works.”

Matthews grew up in a small town in North Carolina -- specifically Cullowhee, where he also played college ball at Western Carolina. The journey from his small-town upbringing to the bright lights of the Twin Cities has been memorable in many ways.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever really lived in a city here, so for me it’s a big change from where I grew up,” Matthews said. “But it’s fun moving here, obviously. It’s really exciting.”

He’s expecting a group of up to 20 friends and family to join him at Target Field for his anticipated Major League debut on Tuesday. Young players often comment on the “third deck” of stands -- an aspect not found in Minor League parks. But Matthews said he wouldn’t let the new surroundings intimidate him.

“I mean, I hope not, but definitely I’ll probably take a peek up there,” Matthews said with a grin. “But it’ll be fine.”