Bryan Mata

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #8 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Overlooked through half of the 2015-16 signing period, Mata signed with the Red Sox for $25,000 in January 2016. Projection quickly became reality as he gained size and strength. Though Mata entered pro ball with a four-seam fastball, curveball and changeup, the Red Sox felt his natural arm slot was better suited for a sinker/slider foundation. The shift resulted in growing pains--particularly difficulties working in the strike zone--but also considerable promise in 2018 and 2019. After the lost 2020 Covid season, Mata blew out his elbow in spring training, requiring Tommy John surgery that sidelined him until mid 2022. He advanced across four levels in 2022, posting strong rates of 30% strikeouts and nearly 53% ground balls.
  
  Scouting Report: Mata is a formidable presence on the mound, a powerful righthander whose stuff may be unrivaled in the Red Sox system. He sits at 97 mph with his sinker, and his plus slider tunnels well off of it. He has topped out at 102 mph on his four-seamer, and his changeup has the action of a solid-average offering or better. In a vacuum, Mata's arsenal could be that of a midrotation starter with two caveats. First, his swing-and-miss numbers are below what might be expected given his underlying pitch traits, though he did make gains in his slider depth in late 2022, resulting in more whiffs. Secondly, he lacks a starter's control--he walked 13% of batters in 2022--likely capping his potential innings load.
  
  The Future: After finishing 2022 in Triple-A, Mata should open 2023 back in the Worcester rotation. If he makes control gains--possible as he gets further from Tommy John surgery--he could emerge as a depth starter in 2023 with a long-term future as a No. 4 with fringy command. If not, he should fit as a multi-innings bullpen weapon in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 40
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #8 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Mata signed late in the 2015-16 international signing period for a $25,000 bonus but quickly shed his low profile when size and strength gains helped him develop the most powerful arsenal in the Red Sox’s system. After a strong 2019 campaign, he showed an electric pitch mix at the alternate training site in 2020 to put himself in position to be a potential contributor in 2021. Instead, he suffered a forearm injury that required Tommy John surgery in April and wiped out his first year on the 40-man roster.
  
  Scouting Report: Mata featured huge stuff prior to surgery, starting with a mid-to upper-90s two-seamer and a nasty, plus slider that darts out of the same tunnel. Both produced ground balls and swings and misses and largely kept batters in check on their own. Mata also has a four-seamer, an average changeup and a below-average but usable curveball at his disposal, allowing him to work to all quadrants of the strike zone. The movement he generates on his pitches can make it difficult for him to keep them in the strike zone, but he was making his delivery more compact to address his below-average control before he got hurt. While Mata has a sturdy starter’s build and the pitch mix to stay in the rotation, he has yet to demonstrate he can stay healthy through a full season.
  
  The Future: Mata will spend most of 2022 rehabbing and could return to an affiliate by mid-year. If his stuff comes back, he could emerge as a late-inning reliever or a carefully managed starter by 2023.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #4 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 70. Curveball: 40. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 45.
  Track Record: Signed for just $25,000 during the 2015-16 international signing period, Mata quickly emerged as one of the organization’s top pitching prospects. After reaching Double-A in 2019, he made his way to the alternate training site in 2020 and solidified his standing as the pitcher with the best pure stuff in Boston’s system.
  
  Scouting Report: Mata has a diverse arsenal of pitches anchored by a mid-to-high-90s two-seam fastball and a nasty slider that tunnels well off his two-seamer. His two-seamer and slider have the shape and power of plus offerings or better, eliciting bad contact and swings and misses. His four-seamer, changeup and curveball are inconsistent but create options to attack righties and lefties in different parts of the zone. Below-average control remains the focus of Mata’s development, but he has improved, dropping his walk rate from 7.3 per nine innings in 2018 to 3.6 per nine in 2019. To continue that progress, Mata adjusted his delivery at the alternate site in hopes that fewer moving parts will result in a more consistent attack on the strike zone.
  
  The Future: Mata’s combination of big stuff but below-average control suggests a No. 3 or 4 starter. He has a chance to put himself on the radar as a major league depth option in 2021. .
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #4 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Signed for $25,000 in 2016, Mata quickly emerged as one of the organization's best starting pitching prospects. After he endured significant control issues in 2018—attributed in no small part to continued physical growth and an effort to harness a two-seamer he started to incorporate—he nearly slashed his walk rate in half in 2019 while generating a high groundball rate. Though Mata struggled at times following a promotion as one of the youngest pitchers in Double-A, he took a major step forward in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Mata has overhauled his arsenal considerably as a pro. He once relied on a four-seamer, curve and changeup, but the Red Sox determined that his arm slot was better suited to a two-seamer as a primary offering. He can also employ a four-seamer at the top of the zone while selectively mixing in his curve and changeup (a pitch with good action but inconsistent command). Mata's fastball sits in the mid-90s, topped out at 98 mph as a starter and hit triple-digits out of the bullpen in the Arizona Fall League. His slider typically comes in at 88-90 mph. While Mata's pitches don't generate tons of swings and misses, he throws hard enough to force early swing decisions.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mata likely will open 2020 back in Double-A and is the team's most promising upper-level rotation prospect in recent years. He has No. 3 starter potential.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #6 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: In January 2016, the Red Sox rushed Mata to the mound at a workout organized by Alex Requena to get a one-inning look before the skies opened in a downpour. It was enough to convince the team to sign him for $25,000 that day. Since then he has consistently held his own as one of the youngest players at his levels.
  
  Scouting Report: Mata struggled to throw strikes early in 2018 while moving from being chiefly a four-seam fastball pitcher to learning how to use a two-seamer in order to generate more ground balls. He has a starter’s mix, with above-average velocity--he averages roughly 94 mph and tops out at 97--and the ability both to spin a breaking ball and slow bats with a changeup that gets some swings and misses. The key for Mata will be reclaiming his control after struggling at times to maintain his delivery in 2018. His struggles were at least partly a result of his physical growth.
  
  The Future: Though Mata’s 2018 season was cut short in July, shortly after the Futures Game, by growth-related back discomfort, he will compete for a spot in the Double-A rotation to remain on an aggressive development track. He has the upside of a No. 3 or No. 4 starter.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #4 prospect in 2018
  Signed for $25,000, Mata has stood out since entering the system for the maturity of both his stuff and demeanor, traits that earned him a late-May assignment at low Class A Greenville, making him the youngest pitcher in the South Atlantic League. Mata's clean delivery allows him to attack the strike zone with a three-pitch mix anchored by a four-seamer that typically sits at 91-92 mph, tops out at 94 mph, and has a chance to gain additional ticks as he fills out. His arm speed and consistent release point create good sell on a changeup that has late fade, creating the potential for a plus offering that he uses for swings and misses. Though his 77-78 mph curveball hasn't been a swing-and-miss offering, it has depth and he can throw it for strikes., giving him a potential mix of three pitches that are average or better. Projected above-average command will allow his pitch mix to play up. As an 18-year-old, Mata showed the potential to advance quickly. If his breaking ball doesn't progress, then his future may be in the bullpen. But if Mata gains more consistency with the pitch while gaining additional power on his fastball, he has the upside of a No. 3 or No. 4 starter.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #27 prospect in 2017
  The Red Sox signed Mata late in the 2015 international signing period, waiting until Jan. 2016 to sign him as a 16-year old out of Venezuela. Physically, Mata looked like a man among boys in his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2016. The 6-foot-3 righthander has both the frame and delivery to suggest the possibility of durability, while his quick arm already has him working up to 94 mph. Mata's performance likewise distinguished the young pitcher. He recorded a 1.55 ERA over his last dozen DSL starts (regular season and playoffs), while his three-pitch mix (fastball, curveball, changeup) is headlined by a heater that projects as a plus offering. His curve and changeup both flash average at times, and their development will determine whether his likelier projection is in the bullpen or as a starter.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Carolina League #8 prospect in 2019
  After going 6-3, 3.50 with 61 strikeouts and 58 walks in 72 innings as a 19-year-old in the Carolina League in 2018, Mata quickly pitched his way up to Double-A this season. With Salem, he added a cutter to his mid-90s fastball. "The fastball explodes out of his hand with life,” Potomac manager Tripp Keister said. Salem manager Corey Wimberly said the righthander has excellent mound presence for such a young pitcher. Mata’s most noticeable progression was in his control, as he went from 7.3 walks per nine innings to 3.2. In Double-A, he was 4-6, 5.03 with 9.9 strikeouts and four walks per nine in 53.2 innings, If this season was an indicator, that command should get better if he returns to the league in 2020. Mata closed his season with a scoreless seven-inning performance with nine strikeouts, and he is scheduled to pitch in the Arizona Fall League.
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #7 prospect in 2019
  After dominating the Carolina League, Mata's stat line wasn't exactly picture-perfect in the Eastern League. The righthander struck out 9.9 batters per nine innings, but his walk rate of 4.0 per nine didn't help him limit the opposition from scoring. Mata's best quality is his feel to throw his fastball that tops out at 97 mph. His curveball is a harder breaking ball that he has above-average command of and uses to get swings and misses. Mata has worked on developing a slider, which projects to be a similar quality pitch to that of his curveball. His last pitch is a changeup, which he uses occasionally. Mata doesn't get flustered on the mound and pitches with plenty of confidence. He is still developing his pitches but has a high ceiling in the rotation.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Overlooked through half of the 2015-16 signing period, Mata signed with the Red Sox for $25,000 in January 2016. Projection quickly became reality as he gained size and strength. Though Mata entered pro ball with a four-seam fastball, curveball and changeup, the Red Sox felt his natural arm slot was better suited for a sinker/slider foundation. The shift resulted in growing pains--particularly difficulties working in the strike zone--but also considerable promise in 2018 and 2019. After the lost 2020 Covid season, Mata blew out his elbow in spring training, requiring Tommy John surgery that sidelined him until mid 2022. He advanced across four levels in 2022, posting strong rates of 30% strikeouts and nearly 53% ground balls.
  
  Scouting Report: Mata is a formidable presence on the mound, a powerful righthander whose stuff may be unrivaled in the Red Sox system. He sits at 97 mph with his sinker, and his plus slider tunnels well off of it. He has topped out at 102 mph on his four-seamer, and his changeup has the action of a solid-average offering or better. In a vacuum, Mata's arsenal could be that of a midrotation starter with two caveats. First, his swing-and-miss numbers are below what might be expected given his underlying pitch traits, though he did make gains in his slider depth in late 2022, resulting in more whiffs. Secondly, he lacks a starter's control--he walked 13% of batters in 2022--likely capping his potential innings load.
  
  The Future: After finishing 2022 in Triple-A, Mata should open 2023 back in the Worcester rotation. If he makes control gains--possible as he gets further from Tommy John surgery--he could emerge as a depth starter in 2023 with a long-term future as a No. 4 with fringy command. If not, he should fit as a multi-innings bullpen weapon in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 40
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Overlooked through half of the 2015-16 signing period, Mata signed with the Red Sox for $25,000 in January 2016. Projection quickly became reality as he gained size and strength. Though Mata entered pro ball with a four-seam fastball, curveball and changeup, the Red Sox felt his natural arm slot was better suited for a sinker/slider foundation. The shift resulted in growing pains--particularly difficulties working in the strike zone--but also considerable promise in 2018 and 2019. After the lost 2020 Covid season, Mata blew out his elbow in spring training, requiring Tommy John surgery that sidelined him until mid 2022. He advanced across four levels in 2022, posting strong rates of 30% strikeouts and nearly 53% ground balls.
  
  Scouting Report: Mata is a formidable presence on the mound, a powerful righthander whose stuff may be unrivaled in the Red Sox system. He sits at 97 mph with his sinker, and his plus slider tunnels well off of it. He has topped out at 102 mph on his four-seamer, and his changeup has the action of a solid-average offering or better. In a vacuum, Mata's arsenal could be that of a midrotation starter with two caveats. First, his swing-and-miss numbers are below what might be expected given his underlying pitch traits, though he did make gains in his slider depth in late 2022, resulting in more whiffs. Secondly, he lacks a starter's control--he walked 13% of batters in 2022--likely capping his potential innings load.
  
  The Future: After finishing 2022 in Triple-A, Mata should open 2023 back in the Worcester rotation. If he makes control gains--possible as he gets further from Tommy John surgery--he could emerge as a depth starter in 2023 with a long-term future as a No. 4 with fringy command. If not, he should fit as a multi-innings bullpen weapon in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 40
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Mata signed late in the 2015-16 international signing period for a $25,000 bonus but quickly shed his low profile when size and strength gains helped him develop the most powerful arsenal in the Red Sox&#39s system. After a strong 2019 campaign, he showed an electric pitch mix at the alternate training site in 2020 to put himself in position to be a potential contributor in 2021. Instead, he suffered a forearm injury that required Tommy John surgery in April and wiped out his first year on the 40-man roster.
  
  Scouting Report: Mata featured huge stuff prior to surgery, starting with a mid-to upper-90s two-seamer and nasty, plus slider that darts out of the same tunnel. Both produced ground balls and swings-and-misses and largely kept batters in check on their own. Mata also has a four-seamer, average changeup and below-average but usable curveball at his disposal, allowing him to work to all quadrants of the strike zone. The movement he generates on his pitches can make it difficult for him to keep them in the strike zone, but he was making his delivery more compact to address his below-average control before he got hurt. While Mata has a sturdy starter&#39s build and the pitch mix to stay in the rotation, he has yet to demonstrate he can stay healthy through a full season.
  
  The Future: Mata will spend most of 2022 rehabbing and could return to an affiliate by mid-year. If his stuff comes back, he could emerge as a late-inning reliever or a carefully managed starter by 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Curveball: 40. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 40.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Mata signed late in the 2015-16 international signing period for a $25,000 bonus but quickly shed his low profile when size and strength gains helped him develop the most powerful arsenal in the Red Sox’s system. After a strong 2019 campaign, he showed an electric pitch mix at the alternate training site in 2020 to put himself in position to be a potential contributor in 2021. Instead, he suffered a forearm injury that required Tommy John surgery in April and wiped out his first year on the 40-man roster.
  
  Scouting Report: Mata featured huge stuff prior to surgery, starting with a mid-to upper-90s two-seamer and a nasty, plus slider that darts out of the same tunnel. Both produced ground balls and swings and misses and largely kept batters in check on their own. Mata also has a four-seamer, an average changeup and a below-average but usable curveball at his disposal, allowing him to work to all quadrants of the strike zone. The movement he generates on his pitches can make it difficult for him to keep them in the strike zone, but he was making his delivery more compact to address his below-average control before he got hurt. While Mata has a sturdy starter’s build and the pitch mix to stay in the rotation, he has yet to demonstrate he can stay healthy through a full season.
  
  The Future: Mata will spend most of 2022 rehabbing and could return to an affiliate by mid-year. If his stuff comes back, he could emerge as a late-inning reliever or a carefully managed starter by 2023.
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 70. Curveball: 40. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 45.
  Track Record: Signed for just $25,000 during the 2015-16 international signing period, Mata quickly emerged as one of the organization's top pitching prospects. After reaching Double-A in 2019, he made his way to the alternate training site in 2020 and solidified his standing as the pitcher with the best pure stuff in Boston's system.
  
  Scouting Report: Mata has a diverse arsenal of pitches anchored by a mid-to-high-90s two-seam fastball and a nasty slider that tunnels well off his two-seamer. His two-seamer and slider have the shape and power of plus offerings or better, eliciting bad contact and swings and misses. His four-seamer, changeup and curveball are inconsistent but create options to attack righties and lefties in different parts of the zone. Below-average control remains the focus of Mata's development, but he has improved, dropping his walk rate from 7.3 per nine innings in 2018 to 3.6 per nine in 2019. To continue that progress, Mata adjusted his delivery at the alternate site in hopes that fewer moving parts will result in a more consistent attack on the strike zone.
  
  The Future: Mata's combination of big stuff but below-average control suggests a No. 3 or 4 starter. He has a chance to put himself on the radar as a major league depth option in 2021. .
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 70. Curveball: 40. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 45.
  Track Record: Signed for just $25,000 during the 2015-16 international signing period, Mata quickly emerged as one of the organization’s top pitching prospects. After reaching Double-A in 2019, he made his way to the alternate training site in 2020 and solidified his standing as the pitcher with the best pure stuff in Boston’s system.
  
  Scouting Report: Mata has a diverse arsenal of pitches anchored by a mid-to-high-90s two-seam fastball and a nasty slider that tunnels well off his two-seamer. His two-seamer and slider have the shape and power of plus offerings or better, eliciting bad contact and swings and misses. His four-seamer, changeup and curveball are inconsistent but create options to attack righties and lefties in different parts of the zone. Below-average control remains the focus of Mata’s development, but he has improved, dropping his walk rate from 7.3 per nine innings in 2018 to 3.6 per nine in 2019. To continue that progress, Mata adjusted his delivery at the alternate site in hopes that fewer moving parts will result in a more consistent attack on the strike zone.
  
  The Future: Mata’s combination of big stuff but below-average control suggests a No. 3 or 4 starter. He has a chance to put himself on the radar as a major league depth option in 2021. .
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 70. Curveball: 40. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 45.
  Track Record: Signed for just $25,000 during the 2015-16 international signing period, Mata quickly emerged as one of the organization’s top pitching prospects. After reaching Double-A in 2019, he made his way to the alternate training site in 2020 and solidified his standing as the pitcher with the best pure stuff in Boston’s system.
  
  Scouting Report: Mata has a diverse arsenal of pitches anchored by a mid-to-high-90s two-seam fastball and a nasty slider that tunnels well off his two-seamer. His two-seamer and slider have the shape and power of plus offerings or better, eliciting bad contact and swings and misses. His four-seamer, changeup and curveball are inconsistent but create options to attack righties and lefties in different parts of the zone. Below-average control remains the focus of Mata’s development, but he has improved, dropping his walk rate from 7.3 per nine innings in 2018 to 3.6 per nine in 2019. To continue that progress, Mata adjusted his delivery at the alternate site in hopes that fewer moving parts will result in a more consistent attack on the strike zone.
  
  The Future: Mata’s combination of big stuff but below-average control suggests a No. 3 or 4 starter. He has a chance to put himself on the radar as a major league depth option in 2021. .
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Signed for $25,000 in 2016, Mata quickly emerged as one of the organization’s best starting pitching prospects. After he endured significant control issues in 2018—attributed in no small part to continued physical growth and an effort to harness a two-seamer he started to incorporate—he nearly slashed his walk rate in half in 2019 while generating a high groundball rate. Though Mata struggled at times following a promotion as one of the youngest pitchers in Double-A, he took a major step forward in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Mata has overhauled his arsenal considerably as a pro. He once relied on a four-seamer, curve and changeup, but the Red Sox determined that his arm slot was better suited to a two-seamer as a primary offering. He can also employ a four-seamer at the top of the zone while selectively mixing in his curve and changeup (a pitch with good action but inconsistent command). Mata’s fastball sits in the mid-90s, topped out at 98 mph as a starter and hit triple-digits out of the bullpen in the Arizona Fall League. His slider typically comes in at 88-90 mph. While Mata’s pitches don’t generate tons of swings and misses, he throws hard enough to force early swing decisions.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mata likely will open 2020 back in Double-A and is the team’s most promising upper-level rotation prospect in recent years. He has No. 3 starter potential.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Signed for $25,000 in 2016, Mata quickly emerged as one of the organization's best starting pitching prospects. After he endured significant control issues in 2018—attributed in no small part to continued physical growth and an effort to harness a two-seamer he started to incorporate—he nearly slashed his walk rate in half in 2019 while generating a high groundball rate. Though Mata struggled at times following a promotion as one of the youngest pitchers in Double-A, he took a major step forward in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Mata has overhauled his arsenal considerably as a pro. He once relied on a four-seamer, curve and changeup, but the Red Sox determined that his arm slot was better suited to a two-seamer as a primary offering. He can also employ a four-seamer at the top of the zone while selectively mixing in his curve and changeup (a pitch with good action but inconsistent command). Mata's fastball sits in the mid-90s, topped out at 98 mph as a starter and hit triple-digits out of the bullpen in the Arizona Fall League. His slider typically comes in at 88-90 mph. While Mata's pitches don't generate tons of swings and misses, he throws hard enough to force early swing decisions.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mata likely will open 2020 back in Double-A and is the team's most promising upper-level rotation prospect in recent years. He has No. 3 starter potential.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  After going 6-3, 3.50 with 61 strikeouts and 58 walks in 72 innings as a 19-year-old in the Carolina League in 2018, Mata quickly pitched his way up to Double-A this season. With Salem, he added a cutter to his mid-90s fastball. "The fastball explodes out of his hand with life,” Potomac manager Tripp Keister said. Salem manager Corey Wimberly said the righthander has excellent mound presence for such a young pitcher. Mata’s most noticeable progression was in his control, as he went from 7.3 walks per nine innings to 3.2. In Double-A, he was 4-6, 5.03 with 9.9 strikeouts and four walks per nine in 53.2 innings, If this season was an indicator, that command should get better if he returns to the league in 2020. Mata closed his season with a scoreless seven-inning performance with nine strikeouts, and he is scheduled to pitch in the Arizona Fall League.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  After dominating the Carolina League, Mata's stat line wasn't exactly picture-perfect in the Eastern League. The righthander struck out 9.9 batters per nine innings, but his walk rate of 4.0 per nine didn't help him limit the opposition from scoring. Mata's best quality is his feel to throw his fastball that tops out at 97 mph. His curveball is a harder breaking ball that he has above-average command of and uses to get swings and misses. Mata has worked on developing a slider, which projects to be a similar quality pitch to that of his curveball. His last pitch is a changeup, which he uses occasionally. Mata doesn't get flustered on the mound and pitches with plenty of confidence. He is still developing his pitches but has a high ceiling in the rotation.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  With a mid-90s fastball, a changeup that shows plus potential, and the makings of a solid curveball, Mata shows a starter’s mix. The Red Sox asked him to emphasize his two-seamer over his four-seamer this year. While the pitch shows excellent action that has yielded elite groundball rates, Mata has struggled to keep it in the strike zone, resulted in an enormous spike in his walk rate. That said, Mata still has been able to hold his own in the Carolina League, allowing consistently poor contact while showing a mix that can play in the rotation.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Signed for $25,000, Mata has stood out since entering the system for the maturity of both his stuff and demeanor, traits that earned him a late-May assignment at low Class A Greenville, making him the youngest pitcher in the South Atlantic League. Scouting Report: Mata's clean delivery allows him to attack the strike zone with a three-pitch mix anchored by a four-seamer that typically sits at 91-92 mph, tops out at 94 mph, and has a chance to gain additional ticks as he fills out. His arm speed and consistent release point create good sell on a changeup that has late fade, creating the potential for a plus offering that he uses for swings and misses. Though his 77-78 mph curveball hasn't been a swing-and-miss offering, it has depth and he can throw it for strikes. Projected command will allow his pitch mix to play up. The Future: As an 18-year-old, Mata showed the potential to advance quickly. If his breaking ball doesn't progress, then his future may be in the bullpen. But if he gains more consistency with the pitch while gaining additional power on his fastball, he has the upside of a No. 3 or No. 4 starter.