PHOENIX, AZ – July 23, 2025 – For a Houston Astros team battling injuries and inconsistent offense, rookie second baseman Brice Matthews has emerged as an electrifying spark, captivating fans and lifting the lineup with an unprecedented power surge in just his first week in the Major Leagues.
The Astros’ 2023 first-round draft pick (28th overall) has quickly turned heads since his call-up on July 11th. After a quiet start to his big-league career, the 23-year-old Nebraska product exploded onto the scene in the first two games of the series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, showcasing why he was considered the organization’s top prospect.
On Monday night, Matthews etched his name into the Astros’ record books by blasting his first two career Major League home runs in the same game, a three-run shot in the second inning followed by a two-run homer in the seventh. He became the first Astros player to hit his first two big league dingers in the same contest since Jake Meyers did so on August 14, 2021. Matthews finished the night with a career-high five RBIs, single-handedly outscoring the Diamondbacks in the Astros’ 6-3 victory.
But he wasn’t done. On Tuesday night, in a tight 3-1 win, Matthews delivered another clutch blow, launching a two-run home run in the eighth inning off Arizona reliever Jake Woodford to break a 1-1 tie. That’s three home runs in just two games for the rookie.
Beyond the power, Matthews has shown impressive athleticism. In Tuesday’s game, he also initiated a terrific game-ending 4-6-3 double play at second base, securing the save and the win.
Prior to his call-up, Matthews was dominating at Triple-A Sugar Land, slashing .283/.400/.476 with 10 homers, 39 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases, earning him a spot in the MLB All-Star Futures Game. He was primarily playing second base, a position of need for the Astros with Jose Altuve’s occasional shifts and other injury issues.
Matthews’ ability to impact the game with both his bat and glove, combined with his high energy, has provided a much-needed shot in the arm for an Astros team navigating a challenging season. While it’s still very early in his big-league tenure, his immediate impact suggests the Astros may have found another foundational piece for their future.