Matt Foster

Position: RH RP
Born: 1/27/1995
Ht: 6’0″ Wt: 210 lb
Acquired: Drafted 20th round in the 2016 draft out of Alabam
Career Stats

FutureSox Prospect Rankings

  • #26 – 2020 Midseason

FutureSox Media

Accolades

  • Carolina League All-Star, 2018 Midseason

Scouting Report

After making his way through the minors as a mostly unheralded reliever, Foster was one of the pleasant surprises of the 2020 White Sox season. He put up good numbers throughout his minor league career, but it wasn’t clear if his stuff would play in the bigs. It did in his rookie year.

Command of his mid 90s fastball and a plus changeup baffled major league hitters. In 28.2 innings, Foster had a 2.20 ERA with a whopping 31 strikeouts. He has walked nine and gave up 16 hits. Foster went from being a fringe relief prospect to arguably the best reliever in the White Sox bullpen due to the development of his changeup as a true out pitch with the player development staff. A true success story for a 20th round draft pick.

The performance was there for Foster right away in his pro career. He dominated both levels of rookie ball in 2016 with a 0.61 ERA and 41 strikeouts against seven walks in 29.2 innings. It was more of the same in 2017. Foster earned a promotion to High-A Winston-Salem and earned a spot in the Arizona Fall League. He was roughed up (20 hits in 11.1 innings), which cooled his prospect status a bit.

After earning a midseason promotion to Double-A Birmingham in 2018, Foster struggled once again. For the first time in his pro career, Foster strikeout rate dipped below one per inning and his walk rate doubled from previous years. He bounced back in 2019 and dominated at Birmingham in a short stint before being promoted to Charlotte. He had solid numbers (62 K, 19 BB, 3.76 ERA in 55 IP), but was viewed as an outsider for the MLB bullpen.

Foster impressed in spring training and Summer Camp in 2020. He didn’t make the Opening Day roster, but was an early injury replacement and dominated throughout the season.