SF Giants Prospects: 2021 Preseason Top 31 Rankings

SF Giants top prospects: No. 2 — CF Luis Matos

Age: 19
Highest Level: Rookie (AZL)
Acquired: IFA (2018)
Future-Value Grade: 55

The more I talked to people around the industry, the more I noticed one consistent trend: those who had only seen Luis Matos in short stints believed he had average everyday potential but lacked a plus tool. Those who had seen him the most, though, were adamant, he has impact player upside. As one industry source put it, “[Matos] is not the one you pick out of the bus. Then you see him play.”

During his pro debut in 2019, Matos hit .367/.438/.566 primarily at the Dominican Summer League. After taking another look at his performance, I realized how much I’d discounted an incredible minor-league season. Paced over 130 games, Matos tallied 141 runs, 199 hits, 54 doubles, 4 triples,15 home runs, 104 RBI, 46 stolen bases, 61 walks, and just 67 strikeouts. There’s no doubt that Matos faced weaker talent than most other prospects in the system, but he also produced like he was an advanced-elite prospect among lesser players.

Still far away from the big-leagues, there remain a wide variety of possible outcomes for Matos. But plus speed and bat speed are always ideal tools to bet on. Matos’ swing is reminiscent of Mookie Betts and has shown the upside to end up that caliber of player. There’s obviously an ocean of possible outcomes below that, though. He has all the necessary tools to be an above-average defender in center, which obviously raises his floor quite noticeably. Even if I’m overreacting to a small sample against weak competition and his bat stalls, I’m fairly confident that Matos will hit enough to allow his speed and glove to contribute at the MLB level.