• Full name Joseph John Matijevic
  • Born 11/14/1995 in Latrobe, PA
  • Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 206 / Bats: L / Throws: R
  • School Arizona
  • Debut 04/22/2022
  • Drafted in the CB-B round (75th overall) by the Houston Astros in 2017 (signed for $700,000).
    View Draft Report
    Part of the same Pennsylvania prep class that produced Louisville two-way star Brendan McKay, Matijevic moved down the defensive spectrum immediately after making the sojourn across the country to Arizona. He's played a lot of DH and first base for the Wildcats, and while he has plenty of arm strength, his footwork around the bag is fringy. He runs well enough to give left field a shot but will need work if a team wants him to play the outfield. A confident hitter with some swagger to his game, Matijevic was punishing Pac-12 pitching in 2017, leading the Wildcats and ranking second nationally in batting (.415) and hits (80 in 47 games). Matijevic has strength and plus bat speed, with a swing tailor-made to take advantage of the spacious gaps at Arizona's Hi Corbett Field. The strong-bodied lefthanded hitter uses the opposite field well and may hit for more home run power as he adjusts his approach to pull and loft the ball. Otherwise, he's a hit-over-power first baseman in the John Jaso mold. While he's shown the ability to drive the ball at times--he was leading the nation in doubles through mid-May--Matijevic lacks the true first-base profile but he's having an exceptional season, which could push him into the second or early third round.

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Career Transactions

  • Sugar Land Space Cowboys activated 1B J.J. Matijevic from the 7-day injured list.
  • Sugar Land Space Cowboys placed 1B J.J. Matijevic on the 7-day injured list.
  • Houston Astros sent 1B J.J. Matijevic outright to Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
  • Houston Astros designated 1B J.J. Matijevic for assignment.
  • Houston Astros optioned 1B J.J. Matijevic to Sugar Land Space Cowboys.

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