HOUSTON — The Astros called up their top prospect, Brice Matthews, from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday. Matthews, who was set to play in Saturday’s All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta, was slashing .283/.400/.476 with 10 homers, 39 RBIs and 25 steals at Triple-A.
Matthews, a first-round pick out of Nebraska in 2023 as a shortstop, has made strides at the plate this season after reaching Triple-A late last year. He’s played mostly second base this year for the Space Cowboys, a position which has been a bit in flux for the Astros after moving Jose Altuve to left field in the spring.
“I feel I’m playing really well,” Matthews said last week. “There’s always more work to do, perfecting my craft and just getting better every day. I feel like I’ve been playing well to this point – a lot better than I did last year. I’m just trying to keep maturing every day and be more consistent.”
The Astros announced a roster move on Thursday, optioning infielder Shay Whitcomb to Triple-A and reinstating first baseman Christian Walker from the paternity list. Center fielder Jake Meyers was helped from the field prior to first pitch Wednesday with calf tightness and could be headed to the injured list.
With Jeremy Peña on the injured list with a fractured rib, forcing Mauricio Dubón to get most of the starts at shortstop, Altuve has returned to second base in the last two weeks.
Matthews, a 23-year-old product of the Astros Urban Youth Academy, said last week the game is starting to slow down for him, which wasn’t the case at the beginning of the season. He had a .799 OPS in April, 1.033 in May and .960 in June, en route to being named Astros’ upper-level Minor League Player of the Month.
“I’d definitely say my persistence and the people I have around me, not just my teammates, but my coaches, my family, my friends, with the support they’ve given me, give me the reassurance that I am the player that I think I am,” Matthews said.
COMPLETE ASTROS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Asked last week about Matthews, Astros manager Joe Espada said his future is bright.
“I think he has the potential to be an everyday player and right now, in the position we are in, we just need some versatility, someone that can come off the bench I can plug in,” he said. “Right now, the best thing for him is to continue to get at-bats in Triple-A and continue his progress. He’s doing a really good job. I’m really excited about Brice Matthews.”
