Houston Astros top prospect Brice Matthews returned to Atascocita High School on Friday for a full-circle moment: the retirement of his No. 3 baseball jersey during a pep rally attended by roughly 4,000 students.
The 23-year-old Matthews signed autographs on everything from shoes and jerseys to a pink cast—and even a student’s forehead—before addressing the crowd inside the same gym where he once trained as a freshman athlete. After receiving a framed version of his retired jersey, Matthews thanked his coaches and teachers and encouraged students to appreciate the moment and be good people. When a student shouted from the bleachers, Matthews smiled and fired back a good-natured response, drawing cheers from the crowd.
From Humble to the Big Leagues
A two-sport standout at Atascocita, Matthews graduated in 2020 and later became a product of the Houston Astros MLB Youth Academy. He went on to play college baseball at the University of Nebraska, before the Astros selected him 28th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft.
Last season, Matthews was called up to the Major Leagues just one day before he was scheduled to appear in the All-Star Futures Game. He homered three times in a two-game span in Arizona and finished with a .674 OPS, four home runs, and 47 plate appearances in his first taste of big-league action.
Family, Roots, and What’s Next
Matthews’ parents, Stephen and Edrice, watched proudly from nearby seats alongside his sister Blake, who works for the Astros organization. His mother noted that since being drafted, Matthews has consistently returned to Atascocita to work with coaches and stay connected to the school.
Despite his rise through the system, the Humble native remains grounded. Matthews will report to Astros Spring Training in two weeks, where he’ll compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster, primarily at second base and center field.
With his jersey now painted on the outfield wall at Atascocita High School, Matthews carries a permanent reminder of where his journey began and the community that helped shape it.
