Former St. Louis Cardinals slugger and current minor league Special Advisor Ryan Ludwick got an up-close look at some of the organization’s top prospects during the Spring Breakout game against the Marlins. Serving as the team’s manager for the event, Ludwick was particularly impressed with starting pitcher Quinn Mathews.
Mathews, the Cardinals’ No. 2 prospect, delivered a solid performance in his three scoreless innings, striking out three batters. However, he struggled with command at times, issuing three walks. The 2023 Minor League strikeout leader and Pitcher of the Year was reassigned to minor league camp after making just one start in big league camp but was chosen to start in MLB’s Spring Breakout, a showcase of the game’s top minor league talent.
Ludwick even compared Mathews to Clayton Kershaw.
While Mathews is expected to begin the season in Triple-A Memphis, he has impressed since being drafted in the fourth round in 2023. The Stanford left-hander has displayed top-of-the-rotation potential with three MLB-ready pitches and a solid curveball. Before the game, Ludwick cautiously compared Mathews to one of the best lefties in recent history.
“This is a huge comparison, and I don’t like giving guys comps because it’s hard to live up to them,” 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.”
Ludwick, who faced Kershaw 20 times during his career, acknowledged Mathews still has a long way to go but praised his electric stuff, rapid rise through the system, and competitive nature.
When informed of Ludwick’s comparison, Mathews expressed both humility and gratitude, acknowledging that while he shares Kershaw’s competitive mindset, he still has a lot to prove. Catcher Jimmy Crooks also praised Mathews’ perfectionist approach, noting that despite not having his best stuff, he battled through three scoreless innings.
“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,” Mathews said. “That’s a huge honor to get an acknowledgment like that. Maybe with the competitiveness, but I’m not as good physically. But maybe I’m as competitive as Kershaw.”
While it’s uncertain when Mathews will make his big league debut, his consistent success at every level suggests his time is coming. Until then, he will continue developing in Memphis, waiting for the call to prove he belongs in the Majors.
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