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| Nick Maton, image- Jay Floyd |
Drafted in the 7th round out of Lincoln Land Community College in 2017, shortstop Nick Maton has proven to be among the Phillies most promising prospects.
The Illinois native was previously drafted out of high school as well, but chose not to sign. After signing with the Phillies, he got his pro career underway with the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters in 2017. In 58 games there, Maton sported a .252 batting average with nine doubles, a triple, two homers, 13 RBI and 10 stolen bases.
He followed that up with a full-season Class A campaign in 2018. That year he was honored as a South Atlantic League All-Star with Lakewood, where he notched a .256 average with eight home runs, 51 RBI and five steals.
Last season, Maton nabbed another All-Star nod in the Class A Advance Florida State League as a member of the Clearwater Threshers. In 93 contests there, the six-foot-one-inch 165-pounder tallied a .276 average with 14 doubles, three triples, five homers, 45 RBI and 11 steals.
In August, Maton earned a promotion to Double-A Reading, where he joined the team for the final few weeks of the regular season and their playoff run as well. In 21 regular season contests, he posted a .210 average with a pair of homers.
Following the regular season, Maton played in the prestigious Arizona Fall League as a member of the Scottsdale Scorpions. He was 4-for-12 with a double and a home run during his playing time there as a second baseman.
Nick is the younger brother of San Diego relief pitcher Phil Maton and the older brother of college pitcher Jacob Maton. Nick and his brothers check in one each other regularly, whether things are going good or bad, and offer support in order to help each brother achieve all that he can.
Power shouldn't be an expected part of the lefty batter's game, but Maton certainly has tools that could be beneficial for the Phillies. He has a noteworthy approach at the plate and can wear down the competition by working counts.
Defensively, Maton has become more versatile in the past couple seasons, spending time and second base and third base, while remaining primarily a shortstop. He boasts very good hands and a solid throwing arm.
With a calm, poised approach, Maton is always focused on learning the game, doing his work and making improvements on the diamond.
Maton has been invited to big league spring training as a non-roster player. Getting time to take reps beside big league veterans like Jean Segura and Didi Gregorius for a few weeks or more could certainly have a positive impact on a player approaching the top levels of the sport.
The ceiling for this youngster could be a utility player in the big leagues, should his offense continue to improve. Look for Maton to get some more seasoning at the Double-A level to open this season, as he looks to earn a shot at bigger things.
You can keep tabs on this year's top 25 Phillies prospect countdown by clicking this link.
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