Brice Matthews Stats & Scouting Report

AB	13
AVG	.462
OBP	.611
SLG	.615
HR	0

Full name Brice Andre Matthews
Born 03/16/2002 in Houston, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Nebraska
Drafted in the 1st round (28th overall) by the Houston Astros in 2023 (signed for $2,478,200).

View Draft Report

School: Nebraska Source: 4YR

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.3
BA Grade:45/High
Tools:Hit: 50. Power: 50. Run: 55. Field: 50. Arm: 55.

During the 2023 season Matthews became the first player in Nebraska history to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases. He had a solid season in 2022, when he hit .261/.379/.476 with seven home runs, but made impressive adjustments during his draft year while drawing heavy scouting attention. Scouts marvel at the athleticism and tool set he brings, which can impact a game in multiple ways. A righthanded hitter with a 6-foot, 190-pound frame, Matthews destroyed pitches in almost every quadrant of the strike zone, and his loose, lightning-quick set of hands generated exit velocities up to 113 mph. Most of his heavy damage is to the pull side, but he has shown the ability to drive the ball the other way on pitches out and over the plate. Defensively, Matthews has the ability to stay at shortstop long term. He has the range, quickness and requisite arm strength for the position. He did commit 21 fielding errors this season and had a .900 fielding percentage, so if he’s not able to improve his consistency at the next level, scouts have considered him as a potential center fielder, where his above-average speed, arm, instincts and range could all translate nicely. With an up-the-middle profile and power/speed combination, he’s put himself into top-three rounds consideration.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: A breakout junior season at nebraska in 2023 put Matthews on the prospect map. He drew heavy interest throughout his draft spring, especially as he became the first player in nebraska history to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in a season. He was drafted by the Astros 28th overall and signed for $2.48 million, roughly 14% below slot value. Matthews debuted in the Florida Complex League after the draft but was quickly promoted to Low-A Fayetteville. He played in 33 games for the Woodpeckers and hit .217/.373/.367.

Scouting Report: A well-rounded player with a tooled-up skill set, Matthews shows fringe-average bat-to-ball skills, with a good dose of swing-and-miss that surfaced early in his professional debut. Matthews’ contact skills are counterbalanced by his selective eye at the plate. He will rarely, if ever, expand the zone. While he can get passive at times, he attacks mostly everything over the plate. Matthews shows above-average game power and has a knack for driving pitches on the inner half of the plate to his pull side. An above-average runner, Matthews is an instinctual baserunner capable of stealing 25 or more bases annually. He stole 18 bases in 22 tries in his 35-game pro debut. His speed translates to good range at shortstop, where he shows good hands and actions. His throwing arm is fringe-average, and he often lacks the strength and accuracy needed for shortstop. Other organizations saw him as a potential center fielder in pro ball.

The Future: Matthews is an exciting, tooled-up player with a good combination of on-base skills, power and speed. His best-case outlook is a rangy second baseman with above-average offensive contributions.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 45

Draft Prospects

School: Nebraska Source: 4YR

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.3
BA Grade:45/High
Tools:Hit: 50. Power: 50. Run: 55. Field: 50. Arm: 55.

During the 2023 season Matthews became the first player in Nebraska history to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases. He had a solid season in 2022, when he hit .261/.379/.476 with seven home runs, but made impressive adjustments during his draft year while drawing heavy scouting attention. Scouts marvel at the athleticism and tool set he brings, which can impact a game in multiple ways. A righthanded hitter with a 6-foot, 190-pound frame, Matthews destroyed pitches in almost every quadrant of the strike zone, and his loose, lightning-quick set of hands generated exit velocities up to 113 mph. Most of his heavy damage is to the pull side, but he has shown the ability to drive the ball the other way on pitches out and over the plate. Defensively, Matthews has the ability to stay at shortstop long term. He has the range, quickness and requisite arm strength for the position. He did commit 21 fielding errors this season and had a .900 fielding percentage, so if he’s not able to improve his consistency at the next level, scouts have considered him as a potential center fielder, where his above-average speed, arm, instincts and range could all translate nicely. With an up-the-middle profile and power/speed combination, he’s put himself into top-three rounds consideration.