Former Rutgers Standout Jaren Matthews Signs With Cincinnati Reds
Jul 13 | Baseball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (July 13, 2010) – Former Rutgers baseball standout Jaren Matthews (Teaneck, N.J.), who was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 32nd round of the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft last month, has signed with the club, foregoing his final season of eligibility with the Scarlet Knights.
“Jaren played a big role in our program the past three years and will be missed,” said Rutgers head baseball coach Fred Hill. “He played every single game in his three years in our program which is an outstanding accomplishment. Jaren has exceptional talent and we wish him well in his professional career.”
Matthews reported to the Cincinnati Reds’ Rookie League affiliate in the Arizona League where he made his professional debut Monday night.
A two-time All-BIG EAST selection in 2008 and 2009, Matthews started every game for the Scarlet Knights during his three years in the program with 162 career starts as RU’s first baseman.
He batted .305 with 17 doubles, two triples and seven home runs as RU’s cleanup hitter this past season. He drew a team-high 30 walks and recorded a team-best 16 stolen bases in 18 attempts. Matthews also drove in 44 runs and scored 44 his junior season.
Matthews posted a .309 career batting average (193-for-625) with 122 runs batted in and 122 runs scored to go along with 81 walks in his three seasons “On the Banks.” He recorded 36 doubles, five triples and 23 home runs in his three seasons. In three years, Matthews tied for ninth in Rutgers history in career home runs. Among his 23 career blasts was a walk-off home run to break a scoreless tie against Cincinnati in the bottom of the ninth during his sophomore season.
The Scarlet Knight hit .328 as a sophomore and .294 as a freshman. Matthews earned Freshman All-American honors by both Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball following his rookie season in 2008.
Matthews joins former Scarlet Knights David DeJesus (Kansas City Royals starting outfielder), Jason Bergmann (Washington Nationals Triple-A affiliate Syracuse Chiefs), Jack Egbert (New York Mets Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons), Jeff Frazier (Detroit Tigers Triple-A affiliate Toledo Mud Hens), Val Majewski (Oakland Athletics Double A affiliate Midland Rockhands), Todd Frazier (Cincinnati Reds Triple-A affiliate Louisville Bats), Pat Biserta (St. Louis Cardinals Class A affiliate Batavia Muckdogs), Jayson Hernandez (Boston Red Sox Class A affiliate Lowell Spinners) and Casey Gaynor (Cleveland Indians Class A affiliate Mahoning Valley Scrappers) in Major League Baseball organizations.
Rutgers finished the 2010 season 30-26 overall and placed sixth in the BIG EAST. RU reached the semifinals of the BIG EAST Championship, earning wins against second-seeded Connecticut and third-seeded Pittsburgh along the way. The Scarlet Knights gave Hill his 1,000th career coaching victory in April of this past season.
