With the 35th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, the Cincinnati Reds selected Matheu Nelson, a catcher out of Florida State.
Nelson, a 22 year old junior, was selected with the third pick that the Reds possessed in the first round. The Reds owned this pick as a part of the Competitive Balance Round A. Competitive balance picks are given to the 10 smallest market teams every season.
Nelson was selected by the Phillies with their 39th round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. But, the high school senior opted to attend college and boost his stock in the draft. And boost his stock he did.
Here is the 5-foot-11, 209-pound Florida native.
Entering his junior season, Nelson was only seen as an average college hitter. In 2021, he had an explosive offensive season where he led FSU in average, hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage. For the year, he posted an impressive .330/.436/.773 slash line while also holding an absurd 1.210 OPS. Along with that, he tallied 23 home runs, 66 RBIs, and 17 doubles in only 194 total at bats.
These statistics earned him a plethora of accolades and awards. Some of his 2021 awards include: the ACC Player of the Year, the Perfect Game National Player of the Year, the Buster Posey and Johnny Bench award winner, First Team All-ACC and the Golden Spikes award semifinalist.
It is obvious that Nelson possesses a special amount of raw power. Many analysts have questions about his strikeouts though. In fact, Nelson tallied over a strikeout a game in his final season at Florida State.
While offensive numbers and production are flashy and easier to enjoy in a player, catchers are defined by their defensive abilities. Almost every scout, coach, or player that has watched Nelson play can agree on one thing: Nelson thrives behind the plate.
Nelson has a well above average arm behind the plate. That is paired with improving hand and footwork. Reds legend, Johnny Bench, has taken notice of the first round selection. Bench and Nelson got to meet in late July as Bench awarded Nelson with the Johnny Bench award.
“I had a chance to talk to Mat the other day to announce the fact that he won the award. It’s really special for me,” Bench said. “We’ve got a wonderful catcher and of course, to see him drafted, my gosh, I was only a second-round Draft choice [in 1965], so this kid has really got something going for him.”
Catcher is one of the hardest positions to predict, draft and develop. Especially defensively. The Reds seem to have found a diamond in the rough with their selection of Mat Nelson. He is primed for a successful MLB career hopefully living up to be the player that Johnny Bench believes he can be.
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