Draft:Kent Matthes

Kent Richard Matthes (born January 8, 1987) is an American business owner, MLBPA Certified Agent. , and former professional baseball player. Matthes played for the University of Alabama. During this time, he was named All-American and SEC Player of the Year in 2009, which led to him being selected during the fourth round of the MLB Draft. After a series of injuries, Matthes retired from playing and transitioned into the business side of the game in 2017, becoming a certified Agent. Within his first two years as an Agent, Matthes negotiated multiple draft deals, as well as MLB arbitration, and free agent contracts. In addition to having served in leadership positions at the world’s largest sports and entertainment agencies, and having played professionally, Matthes has initiated successful efforts to bring custom bat fitting to the MLB.

Amateur career
Matthes was born in Florence, SC to Dieter and Connie Matthes. He grew up in Orlando, FL alongside his sister Crista. His father, Dieter, played football at the University of Miami. His uncle, Chuck Richard, also played football for the Hurricanes. Following in his family’s athletic footsteps, Matthes took an interest in multiple sports growing up. Matthes attended Edgewater High School in Orlando, FL, from 2003-2005. Matthes was named a 2004 Perfect Game High School All-American and played in the 2004 PG/AFLAC High School All-American All-Star Game in Aberdeen, MD. He ended his high school career playing in the Florida High School All-Star Game after being named as a 2005 First-Team All-State, All-Central Florida, and All-County selection. Matthes accepted a scholarship to the University of Alabama. While there, he was named a Golden Spikes Award finalist, Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist, Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, First-Team All-SEC, and First-Team All-American. Matthes is the only Alabama player to win the title of SEC Player of the Year, which he won by unanimous vote of the SEC coaches. Matthes holds the Alabama single-season record with 28, which tied him for the 2009 national home run lead. In the same season, he accomplished a home run across six consecutive games. Matthes also holds the Alabama career record with 23 outfield assists.

Academics
Matthes graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama where he studied Financial Planning and Consumer Services. He was named a finalist for the Bear Bryant Award, which recognizes both academic and athletic excellence. Matthes was a member of the 2008 SEC Good Works team following his junior season and served in leadership capacities on both the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Professional career
Matthes was selected by the Colorado Rockies ten picks into the 4th round of the 2009 MLB draft. He was the first player out of Alabama to be selected that year. In 2010 and 2012, Matthes was rated the best power hitter in the Rockies system by Baseball America. Matthes participated in the 2012 Arizona Fall League, where he led the league in home runs. Matthes was named High-A California League MVP, High-A California League All-Star, Baseball America High-Class A All-Star, MiLB Organizational All-Star, and Double-A Texas League Player of the Week. Matthes spent parts of two seasons on the 40-man roster for the Colorado Rockies and Oakland A’s and participated in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) for Germany. Matthes continued to progress until a series of injuries set him back, eventually ending his professional career in 2016.

Executive career
After transitioning to the business side of the game as an Agent in 2017, Matthes accepted an offer to join Creative Artist Agency (CAA), and quickly signed multiple top players including MLB All-Stars Bo Bichette and Alejandro Kirk, among others.

In December of 2020, Matthes joined William Morris Endeavor (WME), operating as the Co-Lead of the baseball division. In July of 2021, Matthes led WME’s inaugural draft effort which saw over $7 million in draft bonuses.

Matthes left WME in March of 2022 to start his own baseball representation agency, Stadium Ventures, focusing on increasing player value through high-level performance optimization. Shortly after founding Stadium Ventures, Matthes negotiated a $44.5m contract for Red Sox RHP Garrett Whitlock.

In the 2022 Draft, Matthes again negotiated contracts for top selections, including first-round pick Sterlin Thompson and second-round pick Cade Doughty

In addition to having played professionally and currently representing players, Matthes has been an innovator in the game of baseball. Most notably Matthes initiated successful efforts to bring custom bat fitting to the MLB.

Philanthropy
Kent currently sits on the board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the University of Alabama.