In a recent interview, former Pitcher of the Year Quinn Mathews opened up about his journey, revealing how he's turning setbacks into stepping stones.
The St. Louis Cardinals have been building a formidable pitching lineup, prioritizing high-velocity right-handed pitchers under Chaim Bloom's leadership. However, the team also boasts a deep pool of talented minor league pitchers, ready to step up to the majors. Among them, Quinn Mathews caught everyone's attention last offseason, fresh from winning the Cardinals' minor league Pitcher of the Year award and skyrocketing up the prospect rankings.
Mathews' success earned him an invitation to big league Spring Training, even facing off against the Toronto Blue Jays' powerhouse lineup. Despite a solid performance, he was the first pitcher reassigned to the minors, spending the season working closely with player development staff.
Reflecting on his struggles, Mathews shared his insights at the Winter Warm-Up. When asked about his shoulder injury and command issues, he revealed a shift in mindset. He explained how he moved from a 'pessimistic' to a 'realist' perspective, drawing inspiration from Tyler Glasnow's concept of 'mound traumas' as opportunities for growth. Mathews believes that the perception of his 2025 season as a disappointment is a testament to his stellar performance the year before. He draws parallels to his sophomore college year, another challenging season, and is confident that he can bounce back stronger in 2026.
Teammate Michael McGreevy, with a touch of humor, agreed that Mathews can be overly critical of himself. McGreevy, with his brief but impactful Major League experience, often provides a reality check for Mathews, reminding him of his achievements.
McGreevy shared, "[Quinn] will be like, 'oh dude Greevy, I suck,' and I'm like 'Quinn, you just struck out 12 guys,' and he's like, 'Yeah, but I walked two.'"
Learning from veteran Sonny Gray last season, Mathews is eager to enter this year's major league camp in top form. With a playful goal of outlasting his early departure from camp last year, he's poised to make a strong impression. The rotation is largely undecided beyond Dustin May, Matthew Liberatore, and Michael McGreevy, creating an open competition for spots. Kyle Leahy and Andre Pallante are early favorites, but newcomers Hunter Dobbins and Richard Fitts, along with Mathews, are ready to challenge for a place in the lineup.
But here's where it gets intriguing: Is Mathews' self-criticism a hindrance or a driving force for improvement? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Are there benefits to being overly critical of one's performance, or is it a recipe for burnout? Let's discuss!
