The St. Louis Cardinals' Hidden Ace: Quinn Mathews, the Unassuming Left-Handed Pitching Prodigy
Unassuming Baseball Prospect Carries a Sizeable Dose of Competitive Edge
Quietly rising through the ranks, Quinn Mathews has become one of the St. Louis Cardinals' most promising young pitching prospects. With a laid-back demeanor and a fiery spirit lurking beneath the surface, Mathews exhibits a unique blend of humility and determination that sets him apart.
In an interview on 101 ESPN on Feb 11th, Mathews opened up about his drive to excel in baseball. His motivation stems from feeling undervalued during the 2023 draft, leading him to say, "I'm going to go out there and work as hard as I can and do everything in my power to put together a season that lets people know I probably should have been a little more sought after."
When compared to fellow Cardinals pitching prospect, Tink Hence, Mathews modestly declared, "I'm just a left-handed pitcher. That's all I've got for you there." However, it's possible that he was understating his ambition, as scouts frequently refer to Mathews as a just left-handed pitcher.
Mathews' fire is reminiscent of sports legends like Albert Pujols and Tom Brady, who have faced doubts and criticism throughout their careers. Despite this, Mathews has learned to harness that competitive spirit to propel him toward success. Interestingly, he believes his background as a multi-sport athlete played a significant role in shaping his abilities on the mound.
"Playing other sports has really been the biggest benefit," Mathews said. "For one, staying healthy, and two, just developing other muscles and other skill sets. All sports are kind of connected because you have to be an athlete, just a different type of athlete in each one."
Beyond the pitching rubber, Mathews has a quirky side, admitting that he once owned a T-shirt and wig of the Los Angeles Angels' mascot, the Rally Monkey. An avid fan of the Angels during his youth, Mathews finds few situations in baseball that get under his skin—with one notable exception: losing in board games.
"Losing in board games—Chutes & Ladders, Scrabble, stuff like that—that really gets me going," Mathews confessed.
As he continues to study cryptocurrency trends and refine his Scrabble strategy, Mathews is poised to take on professional hitters with the same relentless determination. His understated passion and competitive fire fuel a blazing inferno within the young lefty, ensuring he remains a force to be reckoned with on the mound.
- Despite being a promising pitching prospect for the St. Louis Cardinals, Quinn Mathews felt undervalued during the 2023 draft, fueling his ambition to prove his worth on the mound.
- In an interview, Mathews mentioned his unique blend of sports background and quirky personality, admitting his love for the Los Angeles Angels' mascot, the Rally Monkey.
- Mathews' competitive spirit is reminiscent of sports legends like Albert Pujols and Tom Brady, inspiring him to harness his drive for success in baseball and beyond, such as his interest in cryptocurrency trends.
- Unbeknownst to many, the unassuming left-handed pitcher, Quinn Mathews, also harbors a competitive streak that gets him riled up during board games like Chutes & Ladders and Scrabble, demonstrating his personality extends beyond the baseball field.
