Mathews looked to be on the precipice of the big leagues following a breakout 2024 season that saw him lead all of the minor leagues in strikeouts. Unfortunately, he took a large step back in 2025, both in terms of stuff and performance. After seeing his velocity spike in 2024, Mathews' four-seamer was back to sitting in the low-90s in 2025, and perhaps even more worrisome were the 74 walks he issued in 94 frames at Triple-A Memphis. He also missed time early in the season with shoulder soreness. The path for Mathews to join the Cardinals' rotation remains clear if he can bounce back in 2025, but enthusiasm for the left-hander has waned over the last year. Read Past Outlooks