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Jackson Stephens (baseball)

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Jackson Stephens
Stephens with the Braves in 2022
Atlanta Braves
Pitcher
Born: (1994-05-11) May 11, 1994 (age 30)
Oxford, Alabama, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 1, 2017, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record7–7
Earned run average4.15
Strikeouts114
Teams

Jackson Tanner Stephens (born May 11, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Atlanta Braves organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds. He was drafted by the Reds in the 18th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft and made his MLB debut with them in 2017.

Career

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Cincinnati Reds

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Stephens with the Louisville Bats in 2017

Stephens attended Oxford High School in Oxford, Alabama and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 18th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft.[1] He signed with the Reds, forgoing his commitment to play college baseball at the University of Alabama, and made his professional debut that same season with the Arizona League Reds, going 1–1 with a 4.64 ERA in twenty relief appearances. In 2013, he played for the Dayton Dragons where he pitched to a 3–7 record and 4.59 ERA in 14 games (six starts) and in 2014, he returned to Daytona, going 2–7 with a 4.81 ERA in 14 games started. Stephens spent 2015 with the Daytona Tortugas where he compiled a 12–7 record and a career best 2.97 ERA in 26 starts, and he spent 2016 with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos where he went 8–11 with a 3.33 ERA in 27 games (26 starts).[2]

The Reds added him to their 40-man roster after the 2016 season.[3] He began 2017 with the Louisville Bats.

Stephens was initially called up by the Reds at the end of May 2017 as an emergency relief pitcher but did not make an appearance. The Reds then recalled Stephens once again on July 1 to make his major league debut against the Chicago Cubs.[4] Stephens pitched 5.0 innings in his debut, striking out 8. He also had a two RBI single in the 4th to tie the game for the Reds.[5] He was optioned back to Louisville the day after, and was recalled once again in September. In 26 games for Louisville he was 7–10 with a 4.92 ERA, and in seven games for the Reds he compiled a 2–1 record and 4.68 ERA.

Stephens began 2018 in Cincinnati's bullpen. In 29 games, he pitched in 38+1⁄3 innings, holding an ERA of 4.93 with 33 strikeouts. Stephens spent the entirety of the 2019 campaign with Louisville, posting an 8–4 record and 5.14 ERA with 80 strikeouts across 84 innings of work. On November 4, 2019, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A, after which he subsequently elected free agency.[6]

Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos

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On June 4, 2021, Stephens signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League.[2]

Atlanta Braves

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On January 12, 2022, Stephens signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves organization.[7] On April 12, Stephens' contract was selected by the Braves.[8] He pitched the final three innings of a 16–4 victory against the Washington Nationals that night in his first career save.[9][10] While facing the St. Louis Cardinals on August 26, a line drive hit by Brendan Donovan struck Stephens in the head.[11][12] He was placed on the seven-day injured list with a concussion.[13] Stephens returned to the team on September 4. He finished the regular season with a 3.69 ERA Across 39 appearances, including one start and two saves. Stephens made the Braves' postseason roster for the national league division series against the Philadelphia Phillies. He appeared in one game in which he pitched two scoreless innings.

On November 15, Stephens was designated for assignment by the Braves following the acquisition of Dennis Santana.[14] On November 18, Stephens was non–tendered and became a free agent. On December 26, 2022, the Braves re–signed Stephens to a one-year, $740,000 contract.[15] On March 13, 2023, Stephens was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Gwinnett.[16] In 12 appearances for Gwinnett, he logged a 3.28 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 24+2⁄3 innings pitched. On September 11, the Braves selected Stephens' contract, adding him to the major league roster.[17] In 5 games, he logged a 3.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 12.0 innings of work. Following the season on November 6, Stephens was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Gwinnett; he elected free agency the same day.[18]

On November 29, 2023, Stephens re–signed with the Braves on a major league contract.[19] However, on March 26, 2024, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Gwinnett.[20] However, he rejected the assignment and became a free agent. On April 2, Stephens re–signed with the Braves on a minor league contract.[21] On May 4, the Braves selected Stephens' contract, adding him to the major league roster.[22] In three appearances for the Braves, he recorded a 2.70 ERA with two strikeouts. On May 18, Stephens was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Gwinnett.[23] The next day, he rejected the assignment in favor of free agency.[24] On May 20, Stephens re–signed with the Braves on another minor league contract.[25]

References

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  1. ^ Medley, Joe (June 7, 2012). "Ex-Oxford pitcher Stephens drafted by Reds". Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Jackson Stephens Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  3. ^ "Jesse Winker among 7 protected from Rule 5 draft". Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  4. ^ Rosecrans, C. Trent. "Jackson Stephens Next Cincinnati Reds Rookie To Debut". Cincinnati.com. Gannett. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  5. ^ Carrie Muskat and Jeremy Vernon (July 1, 2017). "Stephens uses arm, bat to beat Cubs in debut". www.m.reds.mlb.com. MLB Advanced Media, LP. Retrieved July 1, 2017.[dead link]
  6. ^ Matt Eddy (November 7, 2019). "Minor League Free Agents 2019". Baseball America. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  7. ^ RotoWire Staff (January 12, 2022). "Braves' Jackson Stephens: Receives chance in Atlanta". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  8. ^ Toscano, Justin (April 12, 2022). "Braves shuffle roster following short starts". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  9. ^ Bowman, Mark (April 13, 2022). "'Here we go': Braves roll, Elder wins MLB debut". MLB.com. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  10. ^ "Ozuna, Albies power Braves' offense in 16-4 rout of Nats". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  11. ^ "Atlanta Braves reliever Jackson Stephens hit in head by line drive, taken to hospital for tests". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2022. Alternate URL
  12. ^ Toscano, Justin (August 26, 2022). "Braves pitcher struck on forehead by line drive". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  13. ^ "Atlanta Braves place Jackson Stephens on 7-day IL after line drive hit him in head". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  14. ^ "Braves' Jackson Stephens: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. November 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  15. ^ "Braves Sign Jackson Stephens To Major League Contract". MLB Trade Rumors. December 26, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  16. ^ "Braves' Jackson Stephens: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. March 19, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  17. ^ "Braves' Jackson Stephens: Added to roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  18. ^ "Jackson Stephens: Elects free agency". cbssports.com. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  19. ^ "Braves re-sign relievers Penn Murfee and Jackson Stephens for 2024". si.com. November 29, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  20. ^ "Jackson Stephens Elects Free Agency". March 27, 2024.
  21. ^ "Braves' Jackson Stephens: Returns to Atlanta". cbssports.com. April 3, 2024.
  22. ^ "Braves lose crucial bullpen arm to injury, recall Jackson Stephens to take his place". housethathankbuilt.com. January 13, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  23. ^ "Braves' Jackson Stephens: Outrighted to Gwinnett". CBSSports.com. May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  24. ^ "Jackson Stephens: Elects free agency". cbssports.com. May 22, 2024.
  25. ^ "Braves Re-Sign Jackson Stephens On Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
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