Prospecting - Brice Matthews and Alonzo Tredwell
A look at the top 2 Astros pick from last summer
One of the topics I hope to cover more this season is the Astros minor leaguers because they are the future of the organization.
How that coverage manifests, I’m not sure. With 162 games and daily updates, that leaves little time or space in my brain, but I think it’s important and readers enjoy them.
Over the next couple of weeks, I plan to take a look at some of the 2023 draftees and while none of these players are close to being in Houston, it’s good to know how it’s hanging, so to speak.
Today, we take a look at 2023 first-round pick Brice Matthews and second-rounder Alonzo Tredwell, who are on two very different paths, despite their proximity in the draft.
Brice Matthews - Round 1, 28th Overall
Despite being the 57th-ranked player in last year’s pre-draft the Astros selected Atascocita High product Matthews out of Nebraska with the 28th pick.
After a quick 2 game stop in the Florida Complex League, Matthews was off to Fayetteville in the Class A Carolina League where he would get into 33 games, slashing .217/.373/.367 with 4 homers, 11 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 19 attempts.
The 6’0, 190-pound Matthews was an All-State quarterback in high school and his athleticism is one of his best traits.
The soon-to-be 22-year-old Matthews struck out 40 times in 120 at-bats in Fayetteville and his swing and miss rate is one of the biggest concerns.
Most of Matthews’s scouting grades are of the average variety with his power slightly above average at 55 and his speed above average at 60, as his stolen base numbers in Fayetteville suggests.
The 2024 rankings are not available yet, but in 2023 Matthews was the Astros No. 4 prospect per MLB.com, behind Jacob Melton, Luis Baez and Spencer Arrighetti.
Matthews is in camp with the Astros and has seen action in 2 games so far with a walk and strikeout.
Alonzo Tredwell - Round 2, 63rd Overall
Those same rankings had Alonzo Tredwell as Houston’s No. 16 prospect.
The 6’8 right-hander out of UCLA has yet to make his professional debut after suffering a back issue last season.
Injuries have been an issue for Tredwell back to high school when he had Tommy John surgery.
Tredwell had elite control in college with a 113:18 K/BB ratio in 92 1/3 innings during two seasons with the Bruins, including only 6 walks in 47 innings in 2022, and is seen as a prospect with a high floor.
Tredwell’s scouting grades are average, with the most concerning being his overall grade of 40, which is below average.
The Astros penchant for developing pitching could come into play here, as Tredwell is seen as a potential No. 4 starter if he can add velocity.
Per Kenny Van Doren of Astros Future Podcast, Tredwell will likely start in Fayetteville, possibly after an extended spring training.
Thanks for reading!