2026 Stats
W-L
0-0
ERA
0.00
WHIP
0.00
K
0
SV
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2026 Fantasy Outlook
Mathews looked to be on the precipice of the big leagues following a breakout 2024 season that saw him lead all of the minor leagues in strikeouts. Unfortunately, he took a large step back in 2025, both in terms of stuff and performance. After seeing his velocity spike in 2024, Mathews' four-seamer was back to sitting in the low-90s in 2025, and perhaps even more worrisome were the 74 walks he issued in 94 frames at Triple-A Memphis. He also missed time early in the season with shoulder soreness. The path for Mathews to join the Cardinals' rotation remains clear if he can bounce back in 2025, but enthusiasm for the left-hander has waned over the last year. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a $600,000 contract with the Cardinals in July of 2023.
Authors best start of season
Mathews struck out nine while yielding just one hit and one walk over six shutout innings in a start for Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.
Analysis
It's the best start of the season for Mathews, who faced just one over the minimum and induced 16 whiffs on 80 pitches. Mathews' major control problems have persisted this season at Memphis with a 17 percent walk rate, but he's also sporting a 30.5 percent strikeout rate and has been able to hold his velocity deep into outings. He could reach St. Louis at some point in the second half if he can get the walks down to an acceptable level.
It's the best start of the season for Mathews, who faced just one over the minimum and induced 16 whiffs on 80 pitches. Mathews' major control problems have persisted this season at Memphis with a 17 percent walk rate, but he's also sporting a 30.5 percent strikeout rate and has been able to hold his velocity deep into outings. He could reach St. Louis at some point in the second half if he can get the walks down to an acceptable level.
Pitching Stats
Loading Pitching Stats...
Minor League Game Log
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Loading Minor League Pitching Game Log...
Minor League Left/Right Pitching Splits (AAA)
Since 2024
-10%
BAA vs RHP
2026
-20%
BAA vs RHP
| BAA | K | BB | H | HR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2024vs Left | .234 | 62 | 33 | 44 | 5 |
| Since 2024vs Right | .210 | 139 | 94 | 87 | 11 |
| 2026vs Left | .215 | 32 | 7 | 14 | 3 |
| 2026vs Right | .173 | 40 | 32 | 23 | 6 |
| 2025vs Left | .221 | 27 | 20 | 23 | 2 |
| 2025vs Right | .225 | 80 | 54 | 53 | 4 |
| 2024vs Left | .368 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 0 |
| 2024vs Right | .244 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 1 |
Prospect Rankings History
Our full prospect rankings are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Subscribe Now
Advanced Pitching Stats
Loading Advanced Pitching Stats...
Defensive Stats
Loading MLB Defensive Stats...
Stats Vs Today's Lineup
Want more matchup stats?
Loading Matchup Stats...
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Subscribe Now
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Mathews was a workhorse at Stanford, but he only averaged 91.6 mph with his fastball as a junior and was selected by the Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. He showed up in 2024 sitting in the mid-90s (touching 98 mph) with above-average ride on that pitch and was arguably the top breakout pitching prospect of the year. The 6-foot-5 lefty logged a 2.76 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and a 202:49 K:BB in 143.1 innings across 26 starts, beginning the year at Single-A and finishing the year at Triple-A. In addition to his massively improved fastball, Mathews boasts a borderline plus-plus changeup and a comfortably above-average slider. He struggled in a small sample at Triple-A, with two five-walk starts bringing down his numbers at that level as he adjusted to the balls and strikes challenge system. Even so, he should be given every opportunity to win a spot in the big-league rotation this spring, and he will spend the bulk of his age-24 season in the majors, barring injury or a significant skills decline.
More Fantasy News
Reassigned to minors camp
The Cardinals reassigned Mathews to minor-league camp Monday.
Analysis
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Sharp in third spring outing
Mathews allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits while striking out seven over 2.2 frames in Thursday's Grapefruit League appearance against the Pirates.
Analysis
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Turning things around at Triple-A
Mathews has a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 25:5 K:BB in 16.2 innings over his last three starts for Triple-A Memphis.
Analysis
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Activated from Triple-A IL
Mathews (shoulder) was activated from Triple-A Memphis' 7-day injured list Saturday.
Analysis
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Starting rehab assignment
Mathews (shoulder) was sent to the rookie-level Florida Complex League Cardinals to begin a rehab assignment Monday.
Analysis
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.