Kevin

Matthews

Matthews was the 33rd overall pick in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft out of a Georgia high school, but the left-hander had registered a 4.56 ERA and 1.72 WHIP across 132 1/3 innings in the Rangers’ minor league system prior to his release Thursday. The 22-year-old was recently charged with DWI in Hickory, North Carolina.

Matthews will get $936,000, while Cone will get $873,000 which is exactly the totals the Nos. 33 and 37 picks received last year. A short lefty, Matthews will turn down a scholarship from the University of Virginia in order to begin his pro career. Cone has foregone his season season at the University of Georgia.

Matthews is a bit undersized at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, but he still manages to sit in the low-90s with his heater. However, with durability concerns, it’s very likely he ends up in the bullpen in the long-term. The young southpaw is currently committed to the University of Virginia, though the Rangers don’t expect to have trouble signing him.

The 25-year-old southpaw missed the entire 2016 season and was limited to just 24 1/3 innings across three minor league levels with the Braves in 2017. There, he posted an underwhelming 4.81 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 22/22 K/BB ratio. There’s talent here, Matthews was the 33rd overall pick in the 2011 draft, so there will likely be another organization willing to take a chance on him.