Matias tattoos two in Legends debut

Seuly Matias made quite the splash in his full-season debut. The third-ranked Royals prospect smacked two solo homers, including the go-ahead shot in the seventh inning, as Class A Lexington topped visiting Charleston, 3-2, on Opening Night.

Ricky Aracena got the Legends on the board with a sacrifice bunt in the second. Matias skied his first shot to left field in the third to give Lexington its first lead.
Gameday box score
After Chris Hess tied the game in the fifth with a leadoff homer for the RiverDogs, the 19-year-old came to the plate in the seventh with two outs and belted his second long ball to left-center field.
Having coached Matias through Arizona League and instructional leagues, Lexington manager Scott Thorman has seen his development first-hand. One of the things they're working on together is the leverage of his swing and those dividends were apparent in the opener.
"He was balanced and used his hands on those swings," the skipper said. "He's a special kind of talent, and it's good to see him have this good start."

Matias, who batted cleanup Thursday, also fouled out in the first and popped out to first base in the fifth. But the native of the Dominican Republic isn't only dealing with his new South Atlantic League environment, according to Thorman. Matias also moved to right field last season after spending much of his first year of pro ball in center.

"Any time you get off to a start like that, you're excited," said Thorman. "But it's a long season. ... We're looking forward to more good at-bats from Seuly."
The 19-year-old collected 15 home runs in his first two seasons of professional ball. At only 17, Matias led the AZL with eight long balls in 2016 under the tutelage of Thorman. He went on to hit seven homers at Rookie-level Burlington, where the right-handed hitter continued to refine his approach at the plate even though he was one of the youngest players in the Appalachian League.
"He's calmed down on his swing a little bit," Thorman said. "He's spread out and is using his hands. He's gotten off to a great start this season."
Legends starter Nolan Watson allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five in five innings, but didn't factor into the decision. Lefty Josh Mitchell picked up the win after giving up three hits and striking out one in two scoreless frames while righty Tyler Zuber fanned four over two shutout innings for the save, his first in seven games at the Class A level.
Although the Legends went 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position, fourth-ranked Royals prospect MJ Melendez scored a run and Marten Gasparini tripled for Lexington. Royals No. 2 prospect Nick Pratto lined a double from the third spot in the lineup and fifth-ranked Michael Gigliotti drew a walk.