Twins top pitching prospect Zebby Matthews promoted to Class AAA St. Paul

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – Twins prized prospect Zebby Matthews has been as good as any pitcher in the minor leagues this season, and he’s making a quick rise through the club’s farm system.

Matthews, an eighth-round pick in 2022, was promoted to Class AAA St. Paul on Tuesday, putting him on the doorstep of the big leagues if he continues to pitch well. He recorded a 1.95 ERA in 10 appearances at Class AA Wichita with 63 strikeouts and six walks in 55⅓ innings.

He is the top-rated pitching prospect in the organization, according to Baseball America, and ranked No. 54 overall. He stands out with excellent command, issuing only 21 walks in 186 career innings during his minor league career, and his velocity jumped this season with a fastball that sits around 96 mph.

The 6-5, 225-pound righthander started the season at Class A-Advanced Cedar Rapids, earning a promotion after he permitted four runs in 22⅔ innings (1.59 ERA) with 28 strikeouts and zero walks. Matthews, 24, didn’t issue his first walk until his seventh start of the season.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred reiterated an automatic strike zone likely won’t be implemented before the 2026 season, though there is a chance it will be experimented with during spring training next year.

“We have made material progress,” Manfred said Tuesday before the All-Star Game. “I think the technology is good to a 100th of an inch. The technology, in terms of the path of the ball, is pluperfect. … We do have technical issues surrounding the definition of the strike zone. It still needs to be worked out.”

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An automated balls-strikes system is used at all Class AAA ballparks and in the Class A Florida State League. MLB is seeking to add a challenge system to the majors compared to full-scale usage of an automatic strike zone, which Manfred said is the preferred choice based on players’ feedback.

· Manfred didn’t rule out MLB players participating in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles when baseball returns as an Olympic sport. “There is player interest on this topic, so it’s important,” he said.

· Righthander Caleb Boushley cleared waivers after he was designated for assignment last week, and accepted his assignment to St. Paul.

· The Twins closed their 2024 MLB draft by taking nine college pitchers with their final 10 picks.