Impeccable control and increased velocity has Kernels pitcher Matthews on good path

CEDAR RAPIDS - So what was working for Zebby Matthews in his start Friday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium against Peoria?

Let one of his Cedar Rapids Kernels teammates answer that question for him.

“Everything,” Andrew Morris said, as he exited the Kernels clubhouse and after overhearing Matthews and a local reporter do an interview.

Everything? Yep, everything.

Every pitch.

“But it’s just the same game plan as always,” Matthews said with a smile. “Get ahead of hitters with my best stuff and put them away or get weak contact. But, yeah, everything was working tonight.”

Everything has been working so far the first month of the Midwest League season for Matthews, a 23-year-old from Cullowhee, N.C. and Western Carolina University. He is 3-0 with a 1.59 earned run average in four starts.

The only start he didn’t get a win in was Friday night. Despite going seven innings and allowing just three hits and no runs, he got a no decision in a 1-0 game the Kernels won walk-off style in the ninth inning as Danny DeAndrade scored from first when Peoria’s left fielder failed to haul in Misael Urbina’s sinking line drive and let it get behind him.

Matthews certainly deserved a ‘W.’ He struck out nine thanks to a fastball that was consistently 96 miles per hour and as high as 97.

That’s increased velocity of a couple of ticks or more from a season ago when he excelled for low-Class A Fort Myers and got the midseason promotion to Cedar Rapids.

“Everybody always wants us to throw harder, so we’re always pushing for that,” said Matthews, a powerfully built 6-foot-5 right-hander. “But I think it was just staying consistent with what I did in the offseason working out. Throwing and that sort of stuff. Then going down to spring training early and working with a lot of the development staff a lot.

“It’s just tweaking pitches, making sure that they work for me, that I can throw them in the zone, and I can be competitive with them.”

Matthews also throws a cutter, slider, curveball and changeup. It’s stuff that could make him a mid-rotation starter in the big leagues some day, according to most scouts.

Then there’s his impeccable control. He has walked 15 in his pro career in 131 innings.

In 22 2/3 innings this season, his walk total is ... 0.

“I’ve always had an ability to fill up the zone,” Matthews said. “I think a lot of it just comes from trusting my stuff. Throw my best stuff in the zone and try to make them hit it. Make them earn their way on base, and just kind of go from there.”

Matthews full name is Daniel Zebulon, but he can’t remember a time when he wasn’t called Zebby. He’s the lone married Kernels player.

One with a seemingly bright future that you’d have to think would include pitching in Double-A sooner than later. Enjoy him while he’s here, Kernels fans.

“He has been striking guys out, pounding the zone, holding his velocity,” said Kernels Manager Brian Dinkelman. “Went to the seventh inning tonight. So, yeah, he’s done a lot of good things for us. Continue to work and pitch well, and hopefully that (promotion) time comes for him.”

“I’ve definitely gotten off to a good start,” Matthews said. “But there is always stuff to work on. The key is to get better. Tonight’s cool and all, but come back to work tomorrow and try to get better.”

Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com