Luis Matos Keeps His Head Up and His Eyes Open

The Giants #3 prospect has faith that stronger days lie ahead

Photo Credit: Shelly Valenzuela | San Jose Giants

To start with, Luis Matos understands the vicissitudes of pro ball, the ups and downs. He’s been around the game all his life. His father was a farmhand in the Cleveland organization. His uncle played for the Rangers organization. He had cousins in pro ball. “There wasn’t a moment that I wasn’t around the game of baseball,” Matos said through Eugene road radio announcer and translator Alex Naveja, as he sat watching Vancouver take batting practice and prepared for that night’s game.

As a young boy in Venezuela, Matos’ Dad would bring him along to training sessions and local games. “My Dad would have me pick up the bats, pick up the balls, and just be around the older guys when they were training on the field.” Even before he played the game, he began learning it, and understanding the inner workings of the game. “You learned something every day when you’re out on the field. The game really does train you to be mentally prepared for any situation that comes your way.”