He still strikes out relatively often, but his high on-base percentage reflects Matthews' increased discipline at the plate. The turnaround came after Matthews started choking up on the bat with two strikes. Now it's a big difference. I can still the ball out of the park and hit it all over the field. It doesn't affect my ability to hit with power.
Players always love teammates who hit with power.
They're often not as thrilled with guys who discuss a higher power. Religion and sports don't always mix well in a team's clubhouse. Just a couple of months ago, New York Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy made headlines when he complained that a few of his players spent valuable pregame preparation time with the team chaplain. That problem hasn't arisen in the Vero Beach clubhouse. Players and coaches see Matthews' beliefs as a benefit instead of a hindrance.