Cards' young fireballer draws ... Kershaw comps?

JUPITER, Fla. -- Dating back to the first time Cardinals roving instructor Ryan Ludwick saw left-hander Quinn Mathews flash his fiery competitiveness and overpowering stuff in a 2024 live batting practice session, one very favorable comparison kept coming to mind. Clayton Kershaw -- a career 212-game winner, two-time World Series
JUPITER, Fla. -- Dating back to the first time Cardinals roving instructor Ryan Ludwick saw left-hander Quinn Mathews flash his fiery competitiveness and overpowering stuff in a 2024 live batting practice session, one very favorable comparison kept coming to mind.
Clayton Kershaw -- a career 212-game winner, two-time World Series champion, 10-time All-Star and three-time National League Cy Young Award winner -- was the comparison Ludwick conjured up. Undoubtedly, the Cardinals would be thrilled if the 24-year-old Mathews has a career as dominant as the Dodgers’ lefty.
Mathews, the Cardinals' No. 2-ranked prospect and No. 45 in baseball, showed why scouts and fans are so bullish about his future in Friday’s Spring Breakout game. Mathews threw three scoreless innings during a 3-3 tie against Miami's top prospects at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mathews, who struck out 202 batters last season and was named Minor League Baseball’s Pitching Prospect of the Year, fanned three Marlins and walked three on Friday.
Ever the perfectionist and often his harshest critic, Mathews said he never felt comfortable on Friday -- with his delivery or his stuff.
“I wasn’t sharp, and that’s fine because you are going to have outings like that,” said Mathews, who threw 49 pitches, but just 23 for strikes. “The key is how do you put together quality outings even when you are not at your sharpest or best? I made some pitches when I needed to, but there were at-bats that I gave away that I didn’t need to. Mechanically, I might need to address a few things.”
Ludwick, the Cardinals' Spring Breakout manager on Friday, said he was very impressed with Mathews, St. Louis' fourth-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Though he made several qualifiers, Ludwick offered a very favorable pro comparison for the 6-foot-4, 214-pound Mathews, who he first saw compete in a fiery live batting practice session against hitters early in 2024.
“This is a huge [comparison], and I don’t like giving guys comps because it’s hard to live up to them at times,” Ludwick said. “But when I think back to that live [BP] that he threw, the guy who I saw young and in his first big league start was Clayton Kershaw. You know, big, tall lefty with good stuff. Obviously, he’s got a long road to go to become Clayton Kershaw, but the electricity he showed in that live [BP], and the way he rose through the system last year and competed at each level, you can see a bright future for him.”
Mathews, a native of Mission Viejo, Calif., was shocked to hear the comparison.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
“Obviously, that’s probably one of the biggest compliments you can get when you are getting compared to arguably the best arm in our conscious generation,” said Mathews, who pitched at four Minor League levels last season. “That’s a huge honor to get an acknowledgement like that. Maybe with the competitiveness, but I’m not as good physically. But maybe I’m as competitive as Kershaw.”
JJ Wetherholt, the top-ranked player in the Cards' system and No. 23 in baseball, lined out to left, grounded out and was hit by a pitch in his three plate appearances.
Mathews pitched well over his three innings, and he got some stellar defensive support from his teammates. Center fielder Nathan Church threw out Marlins first baseman Deyvison De Los Santos at the plate to end the second inning and keep the game scoreless. Then, catcher Jimmy Crooks -- St. Louis' No. 4 prospect, showed off his arm and quick transition by throwing out Jared Serna trying to steal second to end the third inning.
Mixing a changeup and a curveball with a fastball that topped out at 95 mph, Mathews threw a perfect first inning and pitched around two walks in the second. In the third, he fanned Carter Johnson with an 83 mph slider and fooled Javier Sanoja with a changeup.
“Quinn’s a perfectionist, kind of like how I am, so he felt like his stuff wasn’t good, but he still got three scoreless innings and he’s fine,” Crooks said with a laugh. "It’s a long Spring Training, and once the season rolls around, he’ll be a whole different Quinn Mathews, kind of like it was last year. He’s going to dominate, and I love catching him.”
Senior Reporter John Denton covers the Cardinals for MLB.com.
Bats 5K Back For Third Year On June 14
The Louisville Bats announced that the annual Bats 5K race will be returning for the third consecutive year on Saturday, June 14. The race provides runners with the one-of-a-kind opportunity to run the final quarter mile down on the field at Louisville Slugger Field. It begins promptly at 8 a.m.
Bats To Hold Annual Open House On Saturday, March 8
The Louisville Bats are set to host their annual Open House on Saturday, March 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field. New this year, fans will have a chance to win four tickets to a 2025 Cincinnati Reds home game by having all spaces filled out
Bats Single Game Tickets On Sale February 20
The Louisville Bats today announced that single game tickets for the 2025 season are set to go on sale this Thursday, February 20 at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online at BatsBaseball.com, in-person at the Louisville Slugger Field box office, or on the phone by calling (502) 614-4500. Thursday
Manager Pat Kelly Returns To Lead Bats In 2025
In conjunction with the Cincinnati Reds, the Louisville Bats today announced the 2025 on-field coaching staff, led by returning Manager Pat Kelly. The full coaching staff for the 2025 Louisville Bats is below: - Manager: Pat Kelly (6th season with Bats) - Hitting Coach: Daryle Ward (1st season with Bats)
Louisville Bats Unveil Full 2025 Promotional Schedule
During the team’s annual preseason press conference, the Louisville Bats announced the promotional schedule for the upcoming season. The 2025 season marks the 25th season of Bats baseball at Louisville Slugger Field. The season will be filled with theme nights, special events, giveaways, appearances, entertainment acts, and so much more.
Louisville Sports Entertainment District proposed next to Louisville Slugger Field
LOUISVILLE, Ky, (Dec. 2, 2024) - Mayor Craig Greenberg today announced a transformative new mixed-use development proposal adjacent to Louisville Slugger Field. The proposal is a joint venture between Louisville Bats’ owner Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) and Machete Group, an industry leader specializing in the planning and development of sports
Select Bats Ticket Plans To Feature Banana Ball Pre-Sale
The Louisville Bats are excited to unveil full information for many 2025 ticket plans for the upcoming season at Louisville Slugger Field. All new and returning Bats season ticket members with a plan of at least 10 games will be given access to a priority pre-sale for the return of
Louisville Bats 2024 Season In Review
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL 2024 LOUISVILLE BATS FINAL GAME NOTES 2024 REVIEW: The Louisville Bats ended the season with a 67-82 record, 22.5 games behind International League West Division winner and the eventual IL Champions, the Omaha Storm Chasers. The Bats had a much stronger first half, finishing
2025 Bats Game Times Released, Baseball Returns To Thunder
Today, the Louisville Bats have unveiled game times for the 2025 season, the 25th season of Bats Baseball at Louisville Slugger Field, with the home opener scheduled for Friday, March 28 at 7:05 p.m. In addition, the team is pleased to announce that Bats baseball will return to Thunder Over
Banana Ball Returns to Louisville Slugger Field June 26-28
Fans First Entertainment, the group known for bringing the Savannah Bananas around the world, tonight announced that their 2025 Banana Ball World Tour will return to Louisville June 26-28 at Louisville Slugger Field. After the Bananas battled the Party Animals for three sold out nights in Louisville in 2024, the
Louisville Bats Release Full 2025 Schedule
The Louisville Bats are proud to announce the schedule for the 2025 International League season. The 25th season of Minor League Baseball at Louisville Slugger Field will begin with Opening Night at Louisville Slugger Field on Friday, March 28 against the Memphis Redbirds. “It’s hard to believe the 2024 season
PK at 2K: Players Praise Bats Manager Pat Kelly
In one word, Louisville Bats Manager Pat Kelly describes himself as “Intense.” That intensity has fueled Kelly in a professional baseball career that has spanned over 50 years, including nearly four decades on the coaching end with Kelly climbing the ranks as one of the top managers in Minor League
Reds Caravan Returns To Louisville Slugger Field January 24th
The 2025 Cincinnati Reds Caravan, presented by Cincinnati Children’s, is coming back to Louisville Slugger Field on Friday, January 24 at 5:30 p.m. The event will be highlighted by an appearance from new Reds Manager Terry Francona. The annual event gives fans of all ages the opportunity to interact with
Louisville Slugger Field Hosting Blood Drive January 22nd
With the holidays in the past and the need for blood crucial to start the new year, the Louisville Bats have teamed up with the American Red Cross to hold a Blood Drive at Louisville Slugger Field on Wednesday, January 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donors of all
Hurtubise Hustles From West Point To Big Leagues Through Louisville
For any player that grows up playing baseball, everything needs to go right to get a college scholarship. Then, for those fortunate enough to earn a college scholarship, they similarly need the right combination of hard work, luck, and talent to earn a shot at professional baseball. Lastly, once a
Edwin Rios Named Bats 2024 Mary E. Barney Team MVP
As the 2024 season nears an end, one of the Louisville Bats’ top players will be recognized for an incredible season. Today the Bats announced that infielder Edwin Rios has been named the winner of the team’s Mary E. Barney MVP Award for the 2024 season. Rios, 30, will be
David Buchanan Named Final International League Pitcher of the Week
Following one of the best outings of his professional career in the season finale, Louisville Bats pitcher David Buchanan has been named the International League Player of the Week for the period from September 16-22, the final week of the regular season. The weekly honor is the second for a
Trick-or-Treat at the Ballpark Returns October 25
Ahead of Halloween, the Louisville Bats will be hosting families for a special and spooky night of fun at Louisville Slugger Field for the fourth annual Trick-or-Treat at the Ballpark on Friday, October 25 at 5 p.m. The celebrations include trick-or-treating on the concourse, a Halloween costume contest with prizes
Rece Hinds Ready For More After Historic Debut
Every player dreams of the kind of week Rece Hinds experienced in his debut stint with the Cincinnati Reds last month. In his first six Major League games beginning on July 8th, the day he was called up, Hinds hit .500 with three doubles, five home runs, 11 RBIs, and
Double Play Prowess Proves Pivotal For Bats
Double plays are often called a pitcher’s best friend. For the Louisville Bats in 2024, double plays have been a key to the team’s success. As of the end of July, the Bats lead the International League and are tied for first in all of Minor League Baseball in double
Brilliant Buchanan Leads Bats To Season-Ending 6-0 Win
The Louisville Bats took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, getting a dominant performance on the mound from David Buchanan in long relief to defeat the Omaha Storm Chasers 6-0 in the season finale on Sunday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field. In the longest outing by a Bats reliever this
Bats Fall In Saturday Slugfest 10-7
In the penultimate game of the 2024 season, the Louisville Bats struggled to contain the Omaha Storm Chasers attack and couldn’t complete a late comeback, ultimately suffering a 10-7 loss on Saturday night at Louisville Slugger Field. Two hitters into the game, the Storm Chasers took the lead on Drew