The Minnesota Twins are turning to their brightest young arm, Zebby Matthews, summoning him from Triple-A St. Paul for a likely start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, May 18, 2025. This move comes after sending Simeon Woods Richardson back to the minors, signaling confidence in the 24-year-old right-hander who’s been turning heads with his poise and electric stuff. 

For Twins fans and fantasy baseball players, Matthews’ recall feels like the start of something special. Let’s dive into who he is, what he’s done, where he fits in Minnesota’s plans, and why he’s worth your attention.

 

Zebby Matthews Prospect Status

Zebby Matthews wasn’t a household name when the Twins nabbed him in the eighth round out of Western Carolina in 2022. But in just a few years, he’s become their top pitching prospect, No. 4 overall in their system, and No. 73 across baseball, according to Baseball America’s 2025 rankings. His journey to the big leagues, including a taste of the majors in 2024, reads like a dreamer’s script. 

What makes Matthews shine is his fastball, now humming at 96-98 mph and occasionally kissing 99.5 mph, with a lively hop that fools hitters. He backs it with a biting upper-80s slider, a low-90s cutter, a curveball, and a changeup that’s coming along. 

His secret sauce? Unshakable control, walking just 2.7% of batters in his minor league career. Sure, his 2024 MLB cameo had its hiccups, but with sharper stuff and a cool head, he’s ready to make a mark.

 

Zebby Matthews Stats

Matthews’ numbers tell the story of a pitcher who’s been lights-out in the minors and is knocking on the door of stardom. Drawing from the provided data, here’s the rundown:

  • 2025 Triple-A (7 starts, 32.2 IP): 2-1, 1.93 ERA, 1.194 WHIP, 10.47 K/9, 2.48 BB/9, 0.28 HR/9, 79.8% LOB%. He was stingy early, giving up just two earned runs in his first two outings (10 IP, 13 K, 1 BB), and tossed 5.1 scoreless frames with four strikeouts on May 10.
  • 2024 Minor Leagues (18 starts, 97 IP): 6-3, 2.60 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 10.58 K/9, 0.65 BB/9, 0.65 HR/9. He owned the minors, leading all pitchers (min. 90 IP) in strikeout-to-walk ratio (16.29), walks per nine (0.65), and WHIP (0.87), earning the Twins’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year nod.
  • 2024 MLB (9 starts, 37.2 IP): 1-4, 6.69 ERA, 1.646 WHIP, 10.27 K/9, 2.63 BB/9, 2.63 HR/9. Home runs (20.8% HR/FB) and a .364 BABIP stung him, but his 18.1% K-BB% showed he could hang. His fastball, now 97-98 mph, clocked 94.9 mph back then.
  • Career Minors (2022-2025, 237.2 IP): 15-7, 3.03 ERA, 0.987 WHIP, 10.2 K/9, 1.0 BB/9.

This spring, Matthews dazzled in camp, spinning 9.1 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts and one walk before a minor hip tweak. His Triple-A starts this year prove he’s back, throwing harder and painting corners like a veteran.

 

Minnesota Twins Depth Chart

Minnesota’s rotation has been a quiet strength, posting a 2.66 ERA since early April. But Woods Richardson’s recent struggles with command opened the door for Matthews. 

The Twins’ current rotation features Bailey Ober, Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Chris Paddack, and likely Matthews as the fifth starter for Sunday. Ryan takes the mound Friday against Milwaukee, while Ober and Paddack, whose results have been up and down, are set for the upcoming Cleveland series. 

Lopez, healthy and locked in, rounds out the group. David Festa waits in Triple-A as a fallback if Matthews stumbles. The Twins toyed with a six-man rotation but are sticking with five for now. 

Matthews’ call-up, timed after a recent doubleheader, leans on his minor league mastery over Festa’s. If he shines, he could nudge Paddack or a returning Woods Richardson aside.

 

Zebby Matthews Fantasy Outlook

If you’re in a 12-team fantasy league, Matthews is the kind of pickup that gets you out of bed early. His 2025 Triple-A line—1.93 ERA, 10.47 K/9, 1.194 WHIP—and pinpoint control (6.7% BB rate) scream instant impact. With his fastball now sizzling at 97-98 mph, he’s got the juice to crack the top-50 starters if he sticks in the rotation.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. In 2024, big-league hitters tagged him for home runs (2.63 HR/9) and a bloated .364 BABIP, pushing his ERA to 6.69. Milwaukee’s lineup in a hitter-friendly park might give him trouble, though his 3.40% HR/FB rate in Triple-A this year offers hope. Start him Sunday in deeper leagues if you’re chasing strikeouts, but don’t expect perfection right away.

In redraft leagues, he’s a smart speculative add for pitching depth. His strikeout pop and low walks give him a steadier floor than most rookie arms, even with fewer than 50 MLB innings under his belt. In dynasty leagues, he’s a no-brainer stash, with the makings of a No. 3 starter and flashes of SP2 upside. His long-term value rests on keeping balls in the park and carrying his minor league command to the majors. Scoop him up before he’s a household name.