In 2008: Mathis began the ’08 campaign pitching for Oklahoma City of the Pacific Coast League. After an impressive quick start and a 5-0 record, Mathis’ contract was purchased by the Rangers on 5/11/08. The day after his call up, Mathis made his big league debut pitching a 1-2-3 scoreless 10th inning against Seattle, becoming the first Ranger in history to earn a victory while making his big league pitching debut out of the bullpen. Mathis appeared in two more game out of relief before being added to the Rangers rotation, where he started four games. In his fourth and final start of the season, he earned a victory against the World Series runner up Tampa Bay Rays. Mathis’ season was prematurely cut short in early June, as he was placed on the DL for the remainder of the season with shoulder inflammation. Mathis pitched in eight (8) big league games in ’08.

Career Highlights: In 2007: In his third year at the minor league level, Mathis split time at AAA Oklahoma City and AA Frisco. At Frisco, which finished in first place in the Texas League and earned a playoff berth, he finished 2nd on the team with a 3.76 ERA, and posted a career high 11 wins; even after battling a back injury for 2 months. He finished second on the Riders team in innings pitched with 131.2. In June, he was named a Texas League Mid-Season All Star, and during the campaign was twice named the Texas League Pitcher of the Week. He also allowed only 7 home runs and maintained a stellar 2.08 G/F; and posted a 2.58 ERA or less in every month but July and August. On August 25th, in his second to last start of the season, Mathis threw a 4-hit shutout, the second of his career, against the Midland Rock hounds.

In 2006, Mathis finished the season leading High A Bakersfield in Wins (10), Strikeouts (109), Innings Pitched (150.2), Complete Games (2) and Shutouts (1). His consistent and impressive season earned him California League “Pitcher of the Week” twice during the season while also being named the Texas Rangers “Organizational Pitcher of the Month” for the month of July, where he posted a 3-1 won/loss record with a 2.58 ERA. Mathis’ stellar season culminated with a call-up to AA Frisco in late August, where he threw to a 3.60 ERA in two starts.

In 2005, The Texas Rangers selected Mathis in the 13th round of the MLB Amateur Baseball Draft. He spent his first professional season pitching for the Spokane Indians, where he was a member of the Northwest League’s Championship team.

During his initial campaign with the organization, Mathis was the ace of the Indians staff, leading the team in Innings Pitched (84), Games Started (17), ERA (2.68), Strikeouts (78) and a Walks/Hits to Innings Pitched (WHIP) of 1.13. He surrendered less than a hit per inning with 78, and displayed pinpoint control by maintaining a better than 4.5-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Mathis was also tied for the Northwest League’s lead in Games Started, 2nd in the league in Innings Pitched, 5th in the league in Strikeouts, and 7th in the league in ERA and WHIP.

Prior to the MLB Draft, Mathis had just concluded a fine 2005 season at the University of Missouri, one that saw the Tigers finish in 4th place in the Big 12. The 6’2” 225 lb. native of Show Low, AZ was 5-4 on the season, starting 11 games and appearing in 21. He had a 3.27 ERA in 77.0 innings pitched and struck out 67 batters on only 17 walks.

Before Missouri, Mathis spent two seasons pitching for Central Arizona College. In 2004 he went 13-3 and had an ERA of 1.35 in 18 games while striking out 92 and walking 21 batters in 100 innings pitched. He was named to the All-Conference First Team and All-Region First Team and was an All-American nominee. The Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2003 draft and the Seattle Mariners in the 2004 draft also selected Mathis in two prior MLB drafts.