Quinn Mathews short interview

[C-Unit]

Come on, Craviduce. You’re our minor league guru.
Why did Mathews lose his control in 2025?

He’s yet another Cardinals pitching prospect that had a major arm injury before reaching his potential. In his case, he has a bum shoulder. Many pitchers never regain their form after a shoulder injury, and most shoulder injuries can’t be repaired by surgery.

The Cardinals org attributed the shoulder injury to a mechanics issue, so they’ve likely had him change his mechanics to try to avoid him blowing out his shoulder completely. That would lead to a greatly increased walk rate. I’m skeptical of his prospect status, as pitching prospects with bum shoulders rarely make it.

That's sad to hear. The organization really screwed up with Hjerpe (or was it Hjerpe's decision? I couldn't tell you). Anyways, I have had high hopes for Mathews.

The injury tale (maybe) should be a precaution for those wanting to flip major league pieces for pitching prospects. There really is as close to zero guarantee as you can get that any hypothetical pitching prospect ever makes it. I'm a proponent of keeping a strong, deep position player group together as a strongsuit, and then piecing together the pitching (I don't know how) once you think you have the position player group necessary to win. This Cardinal team is not quite there yet.

I'd venture that the player development is the key on both sides. The difference being the emphasis should be Quality on the positon player side, and Quantity on the pitching side. Just be happy with the few pitchers that make it to the big leagues, and then sign short term deals for veteran SPs or trade for major league SPs that have 2-3 years control remaining (or more). Do NOT trade for pitching prospects. Just my personal opinion. Liberatore could be the cautionary tale of how much variance in outcomes there can be from Low-A to the MLB. And that's rare case of a guy who actually stayed healthy.

As for the bullpen, I think that's another numbers game. Hypothetically, had the Cardinals flipped Helsley last offseason, they would have likely been able to cycle through younger arms until they found one suitable to close games. I think closers are more replaceable than folks think.

[DewittDaman11]

I couldn't listen to the video, as I am at work. Does it say anything about whether or not he will have any type of surgery this off-season? I ask because that was a point of discussion earlier this season.

Turn on cc

I'll try that, thanks!

[DewittDaman11]

I couldn't listen to the video, as I am at work. Does it say anything about whether or not he will have any type of surgery this off-season? I ask because that was a point of discussion earlier this season.

Turn on cc

I'll try that, thanks!

Nope, nothing in the interview about any offseason surgery. I really wish I knew, but, I understand not wanting opposing teams to have the information if your somewhat injured/compromised, but, maybe not enough in the teams mind for surgery. Still, it's maddening not knowing what is going on with what we thought was our best pitching prospect(before Doyle was drafted). Oh well, first world problem, lol!

[swatski]

So you’re telling me Cards screwed up with this prospect’s shoulder. I’m shocked, I tell you shocked.

[craviduce]

So you’re telling me Cards screwed up with this prospect’s shoulder. I’m shocked, I tell you shocked.

no...I don't think they messed up his shoulder. He did it himself in Spring Training....missed the first 3 or 4 weeks of the season. Favored the shoulder a bit the first 2 or so months in AAA, never could control the fastball....though it didn't hinder his command of the slider and change up...his best two pitches...and it wasn't a hinderance to his 4th pitch, the curve....Command returned after the ASB, and from there he was able to return to his 2024 velocities 94-95mph on the fastball...but not consistently. He dialed it back to start off games...especially in September...he'd only give up 1-2 hits, but would allow 4-5 walks....yada, yada...I'm not going to rehash the entire year.

basically, the organization didn't do anything wrong....I think he could have surgery...scope the shoulder, be ready by Spring Training....but what do I know on medical procedures? Not much.

Hopefully, he finds the mechanical flaw this offseason and fixes the issue...or has the surgery that will allow him throw the way he did in 2024. While his offspeed pitches will keep his ERA low, the lack of command of fastballs will run his counts high, and he'll be out of games by the 3rd inning.

Fix the fastball....save the Cheerleader.

[riff raff]

Could easily fill Mikolas/Fedde/Pallante's slot.

He may not be a FOTR starter but should be a #4/5 upgrade over those three, bottom of MLB starters.

He's the type of guy breaking in to the league who's going to give you a lot of 5 or 6 inning starts with 9 or 10 K's. Maybe some 3 and 4 inning high pitch count duds to go with it.

The upside is undeniable as he hopefully matures.

If he even comes close to being that type of starter C-U, then he'd move up to being a solid #3.

(but I think your K total could be a bit high once he hits MLB).

Let's hope he stays healthy and becomes that quality #3.

Right now, he's a solid nothing.