SF Giants top outfielder prospect Luis Matos to join team in St. Louis

The SF Giants top outfielder prospect Luis Matos is on his way to St. Louis to join the big-league team, a source tells Giants Baseball Insider.

The SF Giants top outfielder prospect, Luis Matos (Giants preseason #4 prospect), is traveling to St. Louis to join the big-league team, a source tells Giants Baseball Insider. Matos is expected to replace outfielder Mitch Haniger on the big-league roster, who suffered a fractured forearm in Tuesday night's 11-3 victory. In 53 games between Double-A and Triple-A this season, Matos has hit .350/.414/.561 with 13 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 15 stolen bases, and more walks (24) than strikeouts (20). Given his incredible production, Matos has arguably emerged as the top prospect in the organization. While there was no immediate path to playing time, Haniger's injury has opened the door for Matos.

SF Giants prospect Luis Matos running the bases during the AFL. (2022) / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

During his postgame media availability, Giants manager Gabe Kapler confirmed that both Matos and infielder David Villar were traveling to St. Louis. Kapler said at least one of them would be active on Wednesday. Infielder J.D. Davis sprained his ankle and could be placed on the injured list as well.

Gabe Kapler confirms Luis Matos and David Villar are on their way to St. Louis after the injuries to Mitch Haniger and J.D. Davis pic.twitter.com/AoybqcodVS

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) June 14, 2023

Since he was promoted to Triple-A, Matos has performed even better, hitting .398/.431/.685 with six doubles, two triples, seven home runs, and six stolen bases (seven attempts). While his walk rate dipped, he still walked (7) nearly as many times as he struck out (8).

Matos was one of the Giants' top signings in the organization's 2018-19 international free-agent class, alongside Marco Luciano (Giants preseason #2 prospect) and Jairo Pomares (Giants preseason #24 prospect). After an excellent debut in the Dominican Summer League, he was one of the biggest breakout prospects in the minor leagues during the 2021 season. As a teenager, he hit 313/.359/.495 with 35 doubles, 15 home runs, and 28 stolen bases at Single-A. He was simultaneously one of the best and youngest players in the California League and established himself as a consensus top-100 prospect in the minors by the end of the season.

At High-A Eugene, however, Matos hit the first speed bump in his pro career. Matos' power evaporated in 2022 as pitchers seemed to take advantage of his aggressive approach. While he posted the lowest strikeout rate among qualified players in the league, he hit just .211/.275/.344.

With that said, there was a rationale to explain some of Matos' struggles. The Giants emphasized improved pitch selection with Matos heading into 2022, but it seemed to cause him to overthink at the plate. Simultaneously, he also dealt with a quad injury early in the season that appeared to zap his athleticism. He improved toward the end of the season, posting a .283/.312/.462 triple-slash in the final 33 games with nine doubles, a triple, five homers, and seven stolen bases.

During the offseason, the Giants sent Matos to the Arizona Fall League, where he struggled after a hot start at the plate but did win the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Still, there were growing concerns that he no longer had the offensive potential to be an impact player at the major league level. He has quickly dispelled those notions this season.

Luis Matos will immediately become the second-youngest position player in MLB, only older than Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker. Given his incredible performance in the minor leagues, Matos will look to continue building on his excellent season in his first taste of the majors.