With the 54th pick in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft, the Chicago Cubs selected 3B/1B Cole Mathis from the College of Charleston (SC). Mathis is the second collegiate corner infielder the Cubs have picked in the 2024 MLB Draft, following their selection of Cam Smith from Florida State with the 14th overall pick.
Scouting Report
Cole Mathis, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound third baseman from the College of Charleston, was drafted as a third baseman, though many scouts believe he is more suited for first base despite his impressive arm strength. In college, Mathis played both as a pitcher and hitter, but focused more on hitting this past spring due to an elbow injury.
Mathis demonstrated exceptional power and hitting ability at the collegiate level, finishing the past spring with 14 home runs and a .335/.472/.650 slash line. While there’s a possibility he might be considered as a two-way player, similar to Matt Mervis, he is likely to be a full-time corner infielder.
Mathis’ standout trait is his consistent contact to all fields, despite having an unorthodox swing. His power, showcased through his home run numbers in college, adds to his value. With the Cubs’ organizational depth at corner infield positions being rather thin, Mathis is a valuable addition.
Placement in Cubs’ Top Prospects
Although Mathis may not have the same offensive potential as Cam Smith, his high contact rate, reasonable power, and strong arm make him a notable prospect. While it’s possible for Mathis to break into the Cubs’ top-10 prospects, he is more likely to be ranked around #13. Given his experience as a collegiate player, Mathis is expected to progress quickly through the minors, though finding him a stable defensive position will be crucial for his development as a top prospect.
Plan for 2024
Mathis, along with Cam Smith, will likely begin his professional career in Arizona. From there, he is expected to join one of the Cubs’ A-ball teams. Due to his collegiate experience, Mathis could start at Myrtle Beach and quickly advance to South Bend. If he progresses as rapidly as Matt Shaw did after being drafted last season, Mathis could become an exciting prospect to watch, complementing Smith from the top of this year’s draft.
