Mathis was born and raised in Marianna, Florida, the son of Danny and Bunnee Mathis. He has one brother, Jake, who played in the Minor Leagues.\n', '

At Marianna High School, Mathis played both football and baseball, winning four district titles, a regional title, and appearing in the state championship game in football in 2000, as well as a 1999 state title in baseball, on a team that featured fellow first-round pick Alan Horne.\n', '

Mathis was a first round draft selection by the Angels out of high school in 2001, which he accepted in lieu of attending Florida State University. He moved up the ranks to Triple-A Salt Lake by 2005. He earned the Angels\' minor league Defensive Player of the Year award. Noted for his defensive skills at the catcher spot, he also had a career-best year with the bat, hitting .276 with 21 home runs.\n', '

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