Nebraska Baseball Alum Brice Matthews Promoted to Major Leagues

Nebraska baseball fans will have another alum to root for in Major League Baseball beginning Friday.

Brice Matthews, the former Husker infielder who spent three seasons in Lincoln, is expected to be promoted to the major leagues by the Houston Astros, according to a report from MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. Matthews has been playing for the Astros' Triple-A affiliate Sugar Land.

Matthews was the Astros' first-round draft pick in 2023, selecting with the 28th overall pick. He became the highest-selected Cornhusker since 2005 and was Nebraska's first first-round selection since 2006. In his first full season with the Triple-A affiliate, Matthews has been carrying Sugar Land while hitting .283 with 10 home runs, 39 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. His performance through the summer has earned him an All-Star Futures Game appearance.

Nebraska's Brice Matthews fields a ball during a NCAA Big Ten Conference baseball game — Nebraska's Brice Matthews fields a ball during a 2023 game against Iowa. | Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

In the Pacific Coast League, the shortstop is tied for second in triples, third in stolen bases, tied for fifth in walks, and 10th in OBP among qualified batters. Matthews is widely considered the Astros' top prospect and has been projected to take over the second base job, as Jose Altuve has been moved to left field to provide aid for an outfield that has been injured in recent weeks.

Prior to being named a second-team All-American at Nebraska, the Houston native became the first player in program history and second player all-time in the Big Ten to reach 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season, reaching base safely in the first 52 games of the 2023 season to extend his on-base streak to 55 games. He finished his final year in Lincoln hitting .359 with 11 doubles, two triples and 20 home runs earning an All-Big Ten selection.

Matthews is the sixth former Husker to play in the MLB this season, joining pitchers Matt Waldron, Cade Povich, Spencer Schwellenbach, Aaron Bummer and Houston outfielder Jake Meyers.

Houston Astros infielder Brice Matthews (86) works out during spring training at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. — Brice Matthews works out during 2025 spring training. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Matthews has been widely regarded as one of the best upcoming prospects, earning a spot on the MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospect list.

“Right now, the best thing for him is to continue to get at-bats in Triple A and continue his progress. He’s doing a really good job. I’m really excited about Brice Matthews," Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said last week.

The Houston Astros host the Texas Rangers for a weekend series beginning Friday at 7:10 p.m. The Astros will then play the Rangers on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. and will conclude the series Sunday at 1:10 p.m.

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