PBR Draft 100 Spotlight: Matt Tabor
May 23, 2017
By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor
As a rising junior at the 2015 Future Games, RHP Matt Tabor (Milton Academy, MA) stood out for his athleticism and quick arm, but he was pitching in the low 80s. His velocity climbed to 87-90 mph, touching 91, a year later as he shut down a highly touted Evoshield Canes lineup at the World Wood Bat Championship. An Elon recruit, Tabor didn’t get a ton of national attention with his solid arsenal, but he had savvy and could really pitch. That changed at the Super 60. Every single fastball he threw that first weekend in February was 92. When he made his first in-season start while on spring break in Florida, he hit 95. One of the biggest risers this spring, he has solidified himself as the top arm in the Northeast and a possible top 50 pick in June. He pitches at 91-94 and touches 95-96. He maintains arm speed on his changeup, which is an out pitch at 79-81. His breaking ball is sharp at 78-80.
Scouting Report
4/24/2017- IN GAME @ MILTON ACADEMY
94/95 fastball with 79/80 mph slurve. The changeup is 78/79 with fade and sink to it. Shows a fast and clean arm. The delivery is online and athletic.
SUPER 60
Elon recruit. 6-foot-1, 163-pound right-handed pitcher, wiry-thin frame, narrow-shouldered. Although Tabor may not have grabbed anyone’s attention walking to the mound, after the first pitch left his hand, rest assured he had commanded the limelight. And he didn’t stop until the final pitch of his near spotless bullpen, which was one of the most impressive of the entire event. Working from a high-3/4 slot, Tabor’s arm is highly athletic, clean and ultra-quick.
2/5/17
Elon recruit. 6-foot-1, 163-pound right-handed pitcher, wiry-thin frame, narrow-shouldered. Although Tabor may not have grabbed anyone’s attention walking to the mound, after the first pitch left his hand, rest assured he had commanded the limelight. And he didn’t stop until the final pitch of his near spotless bullpen, which was one of the most impressive of the entire event. Working from a high-3/4 slot, Tabor’s arm is highly athletic, clean and ultra-quick. He works with tempo, repeats his athletic delivery and throws three quality pitches for strikes, showcasing true starter’s stuff.
JUPITER 2016
Tabor, too, is a slightly built right-hander, standing at 6-foot-2, 160 pounds. But his arm is quick and he can really spin a curveball. The Elon recruit baffled the highly touted Evoshield Canes’ lineup through in his five innings, yielding two hits, one of which was a home run to Hagen Danner.
AREA CODE/EAST COAST PRO
Up tempo delivery. SL flashes hard break, but inconsistent. Slurvy and varies shape. Shows feel for CH. 89-91 at ECP and ACG. 77-79 SL, 80 CH. CB at ECP at 71-73. Pitches with energy. Some effort. 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K in Long Beach.
Summer of 2016
Pitched in numerous high profile events this past summer, including east coast pro and area codes. The velocity has spiked at 88-91 and he still shows the makings of a plus spin pitch. The command is above average and he still projects to gain some weight in his thin frame.
8/5/15
Right-handed pitcher who threw only 1 inning on the weekend. Was 80-83, and we have had him better. The fastball has run and life. The breaking pitch and the changeup are above average as well. The thin frame leads you to believe he can add pounds, which will help the velocity jump. Throws strikes now and competes. Handles the running game and has swagger when he pitches. As a positional player, ran a 7.7, showed an above average glove and easy throwing path. Threw 79 from shortstop with ease and good footwork. The bat is loose and the hands work, tee exit velocity of 84. I like him on the mound, but he could be a defender at shortstop for someone, if needed be.
6/23/15
Defensively, slick fielding shortstop with an above average glove. The arm works well from there and he has plenty of strength to it. The bat is a little light now, due to strength but the approach and bat angle are good. Ran a 4.85, tee exit velocity of 82. On the mound, he has a chance to be special. The delivery is on line and direct. The arm path is ¾ and works great. The fastball has life and run to it, 82-84. The spin is 72-74 and has depth and tilt to it, out pitch at the next level. The changeup is above average and he will throw it at any time. Uses both sides of the plate and is a very good athlete.
2/28/15
Loose and fast arm, out of a ¾ slot. Wiry and lanky build, needs to put on some weight as he ages. Fastball has life and was 81-83, pounded the strike zone. The changeup is a split grip changeup and it touched 74-75, showed good rotation and command of it. The breaking ball was the best of the bunch, up to 76 and tight with leverage, outstanding pitch. Has a ton of potential, please keep and eye on this guy cause he has a chance to be the real deal on the mound.
11/16/14
5-foot-10, 150-pound two-way prospect. This is the second time Tabor has been to an event and Improved his 60-yard dash time with a 7.80. At shortstop, he showed the same smooth actions and got rid of the ball much quicker and cleaner this time around. The bat is light now due to physical strength but he has a even setup and loose hands to the bat path. On the mound, he touches 79 with arm-side action and displayed a good breaking ball at 68. Changeup had plus action to it at 71. Delivery is clean and repeatable. A good athlete and two-way prospect with the frame that is ideal for development.
10/25/14
5-foot-10, 150-pound good looking shortstop. Matt showed an above average glove with plus arm speed. Needs to quicken up the transfer and work on his 60 time to make the leap into the higher levels. His bat works but is short on strength right now. He is a good looking prospect for sure.