Mathes happier than ever after MLB Draft
Three years at Richmond and all Alden Mathes has done is rake.
The Baltimore Orioles scouted Mathes and saw that he was a steal in this week’s MLB Draft, grabbing him in the 19th round Tuesday afternoon.
As is often the case with late-round draftees who have at least two years of college eligibility remaining, the Marple Newtown graduate hasn’t decided whether he will sign a contract before the Aug. 1 deadline or return to Richmond for another year. But getting the call Tuesday was a dream come true for the 2019 Daily Times Player of the Year.
“Honestly, I didn’t know anything until the morning of, so I was pretty excited when I got the call,” Mathes said. “I was the happiest I’ve ever been.”
Mathes has developed into one of the best all-around players in the A-10 Conference, even if playing college baseball in a cold-weather state has its disadvantages. He admits he had low expectations about getting drafted this year, thinking more likely he would get selected in the 2023 draft.
“I didn’t hear much at all this year,” he said. “But I knew if I played well and kept putting up the numbers I’ve been putting up that I would get a shot either this year or next year. I wouldn’t say it was a total surprise, but I was definitely excited to hear it.”
Mathes is not just a dynamic hitter and center fielder. He is a two-way standout, and he wishes to continue pitching and hitting for as long as possible. The left-hander went 3-2 in nine appearances, including six starts, with a 3.35 ERA at this spring. Over his career Mathes has posted a 4.14 ERA with 107 strikeouts in 82.2 innings.
At the plate Mathes was superb in 2022, slashing .344/.398/.567 in 247 at bats. He was second on the team in batting average, hits (85), doubles (13) and RBIs (59). He ranked first on the Spiders with 10 homers, six triples and 61 runs scored. In three seasons at Richmond, Mathes is hitting .333/.392/.538 with 22 doubles, 12 homers, seven triples, 76 RBIs and 83 runs scored over 351 at bats. He has two years of eligibility remaining after the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the majority of his freshman campaign in 2020.
“You can tell they were extremely interested
in me and excited to pick me,” Mathes said of his phone call with the Orioles. “They were talking about my previous seasons and I could tell they knew a lot about me. I also told them I would love the opportunity to still pitch and that’s something I want to have in my back pocket if I struggle as a hitter, to have the opportunity to pitch. At the start they will give me a chance to do both and see if I can at that level.”
At Marple Newtown, Mathes was a three-time All-Delco and helped the Tigers win the PIAA Class 5A championship as a junior. That 2018 Marple Newtown team was the first Delaware County team to win
a state championship in baseball.
As he ponders his future, Mathes continues to train after having a cup of coffee with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod League. Mathes and Cardinal O’Hara AllDelco Jim White are holding instructional sessions for youth players this season.
“I’m doing summer camps for little kids through Philadelphia Bell Ringers and offering individual lessons. I was up in the Cape Cod League for a little bit, but came back and I’ve been training hard ever since then,” he said. “I’m doing my own thing and I’m definitely staying busy in the baseball world.”