Luis Matos CF/RF SF Tue 3/19/24 1:47 PM
Luis Matos
CF/RF SF
Matos is unlikely to make the Opening Day roster, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
EDGE Analysis
If this were a true meritocracy, Matos, who is slashing .256/.326/.615 with three home runs, one steal and an 11.6 percent strikeout rate in 43 plate appearances this spring, would likely make the team as a starter over one of Michael Conforto or Mike Yastrzemski. However, Conforto is due $18 million this year and Yastrzemski is earning $7.9 million this year via arbitration. The Giants could keep Matos on the roster in a part-time role, but Austin Slater is already ticketed for fourth outfielder duty and Tyler Fitzgerald is expected to get the final bench spot due to his defensive versatility. If an outfield spot opens up due to an injury or poor performance early in the season, Matos would be the obvious candidate to get the call.
Luis Matos CF/RF SF Sun 2/18/24 2:18 PM
Luis Matos
CF/RF SF
Matos may see time in center field until Austin Slater (elbow) is ready to play, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
EDGE Analysis
Previous projections had Matos as the everyday left fielder, but the addition of Jorge Soler at designated hitter will have a ripple effect with Michael Conforto needing an outfield spot on at least a platoon basis. Jung Hoo Lee still figures to get most of the time in center field, and it's possible Matos ends up functioning more like a fourth outfielder unless he wins a starting role out of camp. As long as Matos makes the team, he should be in the lineup regularly versus left-handed pitchers, though it's unclear how much manager Bob Melvin will rely on platoons to balance playing time in a deep outfield.
Luis Matos CF/RF SF Fri 2/2/24 11:44 AM
Luis Matos
CF/RF SF
The Giants plan for Matos to be their starting left fielder this season, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Baggarly writes that San Francisco is content with a "semi-stable" outfield of Matos in left, Jung Hoo Lee in center and a platoon of Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater in right. That would leave Michael Conforto as the primary designated hitter against right-handers, with Wilmer Flores getting most of his starts versus lefties. Blake Sabol could also be a factor in left field against tougher righties. Matos posted a .661 OPS in 76 games in 2023, but he just turned 22 and slashed .331/.401/.543 between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento.
Luis Matos CF/RF SF Sun 9/24/23 4:13 PM
Luis Matos
CF/RF SF
Matos is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
EDGE Analysis
Matos finds himself on the bench for the third time in the San Francisco's past four games while Tyler Fitzgerald receives another start in center field.
Luis Matos CF/RF SF Fri 9/22/23 8:10 PM
Luis Matos
CF/RF SF
Matos remains out of the lineup Friday versus the Dodgers.
EDGE Analysis
San Francisco will ride the hot hand with Tyler Fitzgerald, who is making a second straight start in center field after hitting a double and drawing a bases-loaded walk Thursday in his major-league debut. Matos has gone 3-for-20 with one walk and three strikeouts over his last seven games.
Luis Matos CF/RF SF Thu 9/21/23 7:13 PM
Luis Matos
CF/RF SF
Matos isn't in the Giants' lineup Thursday against the Dodgers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
EDGE Analysis
Matos is just 1-for-11 across hist last four games, so the Giants will give him a day off Thursday to regroup. The newly-promoted Tyler Fitzgerald will make his major-league debut in center field and bat ninth while Matos rests.
Luis Matos CF/RF SF Tue 9/19/23 7:16 PM
Luis Matos
CF/RF SF
Matos isn't in the Giants' lineup Tuesday against Arizona, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Matos is slashing .344/.400/.406 since returning from Triple-A Sacramento on Sept. 6, and he'll take a seat to begin San Francisco's series with the D-backs. Mike Yastrzemski will shift to center field while Matos rests, allowing Mitch Haniger to start in left while batting sixth.
Luis Matos CF/RF SF Sun 9/17/23 1:11 PM
Luis Matos
CF/RF SF
Matos is out of the lineup Sunday versus the Rockies.
EDGE Analysis
Matos had started in every game since Sept. 6. That was when he was summoned back to the big leagues, and he has gone 11-for-32 since while registering an .806 OPS.
Luis Matos CF/RF SF Sat 9/9/23 1:41 AM
Luis Matos
CF/RF SF
Matos went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk and one run scored in Friday's 9-8 win over the Rockies.
EDGE Analysis
Matos has a pair of multi-hit efforts since he was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday. If he can keep hitting like that, he'll have no trouble holding down a regular role in center field. The 21-year-old outfielder is batting .266 with two home runs, 11 RBI, 22 runs scored and three stolen bases over 207 plate appearances in the majors this season. Matos has displayed solid plate discipline with a 13.0 percent strikeout rate and a 7.2 percent walk rate, which bodes well for his development down the line.
Luis Matos CF/RF SF Wed 9/6/23 12:23 PM
Luis Matos
CF/RF SF
Matos was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.
EDGE Analysis
The Giants elected to keep Wade Meckler around last week when Mike Yastrzemski returned, but they've reversed course this week. Matos should receive fairly regular playing time, whether that comes in center field or in a corner spot with Yastrzemski moving back to center.