Prospect Impact: Max Clark & Quinn Matthews

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

A couple of “touted” prospects just got promoted, and here is my evaluation on each.

Quinn Matthews: Cardinals Starting Pitcher

I’m optimistic Matthews can eventually be a major league pitcher if he can throw strikes. Let’s start with the good before getting to his command. In each of the past two Triple-A seasons, the 25-year-old lefty has posted strikeout rates around 10.5 K/9. He’s attacking batters with this five-pitch mix (combined stats from ’25 and ’26).

His slider and changeup are generating all the swing-and-miss while he throws them ~20% of the time.

Besides missing bats, he keeps the ball on the ground with a near 50% GB%. Now it’s time to focus on his major drawback: throwing strikes.

In parts of three seasons in Triple-A, he has a combined 6.2 BB/9. That won’t cut it in the majors, but he’s shown some improvement with only a 5.1 BB/9 this season. And it has been a 3.3 BB/9 since in nine starts since June 1st. In those starts, he posted a 3.77 xFIP, which is a decent indicator of MLB production (as discussed in the 2026 edition of The Process).

With the lack of any talent on the starting pitcher waiver wire, fantasy managers have to buy into those last nine games and hope to be adding a 4.00 ERA talent. Adding Matthews is a better idea than Ronel Blanco, the most added pitcher in the NFBC.

Max Clark: Tigers Outfielder

It’s time to see what all the excitement is about Max Clark. Currently, he’s the 5th best overall prospect and the best in the Tigers system. I don’t start my prospect valuation until a player gets promoted to the majors. I try to stay in my lane, and prospect valuation is not it. It’s time to dive in.

First off, he isn’t forcing himself to the majors by batting .276/.368/.434 with 11 HR and 21 SB in 418 PA in AAA.  Of the 120 hitters in AAA with at least 300 PA, he ranks 59th in OPS, right in the middle. When batters first make it to the majors, they take a 200-point hit in their AAA OPS, so that one test would expect Clark to have around a .600 OPS. Not a good start.

“Maxwell’s” Steamer600 projection (and comps) disagrees with the rule-of-thumb and sees him with a near .700 OPS.

Some solid contributors on the list like Cole Young and Carson Benge, but it’s full of disappointments.

One final test: here are the hitters who had similar age, plate appearances, contact rate, and power numbers that Clark was putting up in AAA.

The two Brewers, Cooper Pratt and Luis Lara, stick out as great upside comps. Both showed great plate discipline and speed before getting promoted, but lack the difference-making power. Since the pair became regulars over the last two weeks, Lara ranks as the 99th-best hitter on our Player Rater and Pratt as 21st. All three give me some Nico Hoerner vibes: Speed and Average with non-zero Power.

And the downside is always heading back to Triple-A to work on something(s).

If the 21-year-old secures full-time at-bats, he is a must-add for any team needing Steals and Batting Average. If a team needs power, focus resources elsewhere.