BA GRADE
50
Risk: V. High
HIT: 45.
POW: 55.
SPD: 40.
FLD: 50.
ARM: 55.
Born: Oct. 16, 1996. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 225. Drafted: HS—Kennesaw, Ga., 2015 (1st round). Signed by: John Poloni.
Stephenson’s second full season ended the same as his first on the disabled list at low Class A Dayton. In 2016, he suffered a concussion that caused him to miss time and then a right wrist injury that required surgery. Stephenson’s 2017 season ended prematurely with a thumb injury suffered while sliding into second base. He returned in time for instructional league, giving the Reds a sense of optimism going forward.
While Stephenson struggled in his first full year, he showed a better eye at the plate in his return to Dayton. His plus power potential is real, even if he hasn’t put up eye-popping home run totals so far. His large frame oozes power potential that could only be bolstered once he reaches Great American Ball Park. The development timetable for catchers takes longer, and Stephenson’s injuries have slowed him even more. He shows plus arm strength but his throwing mechanics need work, which help explain why he threw out just 21 percent of basestealers in 2017.
As a long-limbed catcher, Stephenson has to work to maintain the flexibility to be an adequate receiver and there are scouts who worry that he’ll simply be too big and too inflexible to handle it long-term. The most important thing Stephenson has to show is that he can stay on the field as he advances to high Class A Daytona in 2018.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2015 |
Billings (PIO) |
R |
.268 |
54 |
194 |
28 |
52 |
2016 |
Reds (AZL) |
R |
.250 |
5 |
20 |
4 |
5 |
|
Dayton (MWL) |
LoA |
.216 |
39 |
139 |
17 |
30 |
2017 |
Dayton (MWL) |
LoA |
.278 |
80 |
295 |
39 |
82 |
Minor League Totals |
.261 |
178 |
648 |
88 |
169 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
2015 |
Billings (PIO) |
15 |
0 |
1 |
16 |
22 |
2016 |
Reds (AZL) |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
Dayton (MWL) |
4 |
1 |
3 |
16 |
12 |
2017 |
Dayton (MWL) |
22 |
0 |
6 |
50 |
44 |
Minor League Totals |
42 |
1 |
11 |
84 |
80 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
2015 |
Billings (PIO) |
42 |
0 |
2 |
.352 |
.361 |
2016 |
Reds (AZL) |
7 |
0 |
0 |
.348 |
.450 |
|
Dayton (MWL) |
45 |
0 |
0 |
.278 |
.324 |
2017 |
Dayton (MWL) |
58 |
2 |
1 |
.374 |
.414 |
Minor League Totals |
152 |
2 |
3 |
.347 |
.380 |
|