Brice Matthews Astros Debut: A Dream Come True Near Home
Brice Matthews’ long-awaited MLB debut with the Houston Astros turned into a heartfelt homecoming — not just for him, but for his entire family. Just a stone’s throw from where he once starred at Atascocita High School, the 23-year-old infielder stepped onto the field at Daikin Park, marking a significant milestone in his young career and becoming the center of an emotional roller coaster for his parents, Stephen and Edrice Matthews.
A Sudden Change of Plans for the Matthews Family
The Matthews had originally planned to watch Brice in the All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta. But a surprise phone call from Brice on Thursday changed everything. Instead of flying out, they stayed local to witness something even more special: Brice’s major league debut.
“It was happy tears,” said Edrice. “You feel every feeling. You reflect on all the days from little to now, in a day.”
From Prospect to Pro: Fast-Tracked by Astros Injuries
The Astros’ injury-plagued roster led to an expedited promotion for Brice Matthews, who was originally expected to continue his development in Triple-A. Instead, with key players like Jeremy Peña, Luis Guillorme, and Brendan Rodgers on the injured list, and Jake Meyers sidelined, Houston turned to its top infield prospect.
“He’s an athletic guy with power and he can play defense,” said Astros GM Dana Brown. “It’s time to go.”
A Debut Full of Emotions and Learning Moments
With nearly 30 family members in attendance, Matthews took the field at second base. Though he went 0-for-4 at the plate with three strikeouts and a flyout, he made a solid defensive play in the first inning that helped calm his nerves.
Manager Joe Espada emphasized that Matthews is still developing:
“He’s not a finished product, but you can take a lot of positives. He handled himself well, asked the right questions, and learned.”
From Fan to Player: Full-Circle Moment
Brice, once a young fan in the stands at Astros games, was now part of the lineup.
“I’ve been coming to these games since I was a kid,” he said. “To be on the other side of it now, it’s a great feeling.”
Despite the Astros’ 7-3 loss to the Rangers, the night was unforgettable for Matthews and his family. His bat improved with each at-bat, and he nearly homered in his final plate appearance — a 322-foot fly out to the warning track.
What’s Next for Brice Matthews?
Brice is set to start again Saturday as the Astros face off against elite pitching from Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. His learning curve is steep, but his opportunity is golden.
As Dubón advised before the debut:
“Enjoy it. You only get to do it once.”
Final Thoughts
Brice Matthews’ Astros debut was more than just a game — it was a family celebration, a community triumph, and a testament to the journey of chasing dreams. Though the scoreboard didn’t favor Houston, the night will forever be a victory in the Matthews household.
