Future, Molinas ahead of Mathis
Future, Molinas ahead of Mathis
L.A.'s top '01 pick doesn't focus on where he fits into picture
By Kevin Czerwinski / MLB.com
SALT LAKE CITY --
The roadblocks in front of Jeff Mathis are certainly formidable. Though the
young catcher has an impressive resume, it will be interesting to see how he
makes room for himself within the backstop-heavy Angels organization.
Los Angeles made Mathis a first-round pick in 2001, not giving him the chance
to accept the football scholarship that Florida State offered by signing him
right out high school. And Mathis has done everything that has been expected
of him since, moving steadily up the organizational ladder, garnering
accolades at every stop he's made, including this season at Salt Lake.
Yet, there's the not-so-little matter of the Molinas, Bengie and Jose, who
are currently standing in his way. The duo forms one of the most potent
catching tandems in the Major Leagues and has done so for the better part of
the past four seasons. So what's a youngster like Mathis, who is clearly on
the cusp of reaching the Major Leagues, to do?
Well, if you ask the 6-foot, 180-pound backstop, the answer is simple. Do
nothing. Nothing that is except worry about what's going on in Salt Lake
City; nothing except worry about helping the Stingers keep their slim lead in
the Pacific Coast League's Pacific Northern Division; nothing except continue
to grow and develop as one of the best catching prospects in all of baseball.
"I just try to block it all out," said Mathis, 22, who was hitting .280 with
15 homers and 54 RBIs through 88 games. "Those guys (the Angels) have up
there are really good players. And the last few years they've made a
statement. But I can't think about that. I have to worry about this team and
what I can do to make myself better."
Salt Lake manager Dino Ebel, who spent the past 16 years in the Dodgers
organization as a player, coach and manager, says he's broached the subject
with Mathis on several occasions. And each time he's spoken with the
youngster, he comes away impressed with his ability to maintain his focus and
composure.
"For a young kid, he can't knows he can't control what's happening above him
at the Major League level. Never have I heard him get down about it or heard
him talk about what if something happens at the Major League level. He's more
concerned with what the plan of attack is for the opposition that night,
wanting to know what its weaknesses are.
"That's outstanding for a young kid like Jeff. To be at the Triple-A level as
young as he is, he's just focusing on getting the team a 'W'."
Mathis has gotten some practice at blocking out distractions. There was a
great deal of talk last summer as the trading deadline approached about how
he would possibly be going to Arizona in a deal for Randy Johnson. While the
deal never materialized, it was obvious that other organizations noticed what
Mathis is capable of doing.
"You know, I like the Angels organization," Mathis said. "It's great. I've
worried about being moved to another team mainly because I've made some very
good friends here. You go somewhere else and you have to start over."
Odds are Mathis will get his first sniff of the Major Leagues next month when
the Angels make their September call-ups. Odds are he'll be catching in
Anaheim at some point, too. Bengie Molina just turned 31 and the shelf life
on a Major League catcher doesn't last much past that, though there are
exceptions.
If Ebel had his way, Mathis would be staying put in the organization. He's
seen too much progress from his young prote'ge' to see it put to use in
another uniform.
"I think he's developed into a real good catcher," said Ebel, who played with
Piazza in the Dodgers system more than a decade ago. "His game-calling, his
throwing, everything has gotten tremendously better. He's worked very hard
out of Spring Training and has taken more control of the pitching staff. It's
been a big plus.
"There are a couple of catchers coming through the organization, and he's one
of the top catch-and-throw guys. He's also got a live bat with a lot of
power. And he doesn't even know it yet. He just flicks his bat and he just
hits the ball well. It's impressive for a 22-year-old kid to have power to
the opposite field like that. He's doing a great job and I'm really pleased
with his progress."
Mathis says he wonders sometimes what life would have been like had he
accepted FSU's scholarship to play football. He'd probably be in an NFL
training camp right now instead of playing in a weekend series against
Memphis.
He's quick to point out, though, that he has no regrets. Roadblocks, maybe,
but no regrets.
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