| Robert Stephenson | |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Angels – No. 24 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1993-02-24)February 24, 1993 (age 32) Martinez, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 7, 2016, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| Career statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 19–20 |
| Earned run average | 4.59 |
| Strikeouts | 416 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Robert William Stephenson (born February 24, 1993) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theLos Angeles Angels ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theCincinnati Reds,Colorado Rockies,Pittsburgh Pirates, andTampa Bay Rays. A first-round pick of the Reds in the2011 MLB draft, Stephenson made his MLB debut in 2016.
Stephenson began pitching when he was nine years old.[1] He attendedAlhambra High School inMartinez,California, which he graduated from with a 4.2grade point average. Stephenson's senior season for the high school's baseball team began with two consecutiveno-hitters.[2] He finished the season with an 8–2win–loss record and 1.19earned run average (ERA) in76+2⁄3innings pitched.[3] He recorded 142strikeouts, whilewalking 23 and allowing 29hits. Alhambra reached the North Coast Section Division III playoffs' second round.[4]
Stephenson was named theGatorade California Baseball Player of the Year.[4] He was rated byBaseball America as the 25th-best prospect in that year's draft,[2] and the 12th best right-handed pitching prospect in the draft.[5] He was invited to participate in the 2010 Aflac All-America Game; Stephenson was named thestarting pitcher for the West Team and pitched two scoreless innings.[6] Stephenson committed to attend theUniversity of Washington to playcollege baseball for theWashington Huskies baseball team.[3][6]
The Reds selected Stephenson in the first round of the2011 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, with the 27th overall selection. Stephenson became the Reds' first high school player chosen in the first round of theMLB draft since they chose catcherDevin Mesoraco in the first round of the2007 draft, and the firstprep school pitcher the organization had chosen in the first round since the selection ofHomer Bailey in the2004 draft.[2] Stephenson signed with the Reds for a reported $2 millionsigning bonus.[3]Baseball America rated Stephenson as one of the Reds' top ten prospects before the 2012 season, despite his not having made his professional debut.[7] Stephenson began the 2012 season inextended spring training.[8]
Stephenson made his professional debut with theBillings Mustangs of the Rookie-levelPioneer League on June 19, 2012. He pitched five innings and struck out eight batters.[9] In seven games with Billings, Stephenson had a 2.05 ERA, allowing only 22 hits and eight walks in30+2⁄3 innings pitched, while striking out 37.[10] In July, the Reds promoted Stephenson to theDayton Dragons of theSingle–AMidwest League.[11] For Dayton, Stephenson had a 4.19 ERA in eight starts, as he allowed 32 hits and 15 walks, while striking out 35 batters.[10]
The Reds assigned Stephenson to begin the 2013 season with Dayton.[12] After pitching to a 5–3 win–loss record and a 2.57 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 77 innings, he was promoted to theBakersfield Blaze of theHigh–ACalifornia League on July 18.[13] Less than a month later, after pitching to a 2–2 record and a 3.05 ERA with Bakersfield, the Reds promoted Stephenson to thePensacola Blue Wahoos of theDouble–ASouthern League in August,[1] as Reds'general managerWalt Jocketty said the team wanted to "fast track" Stephenson, whom he called "very impressive".[14]
The Reds invited Stephenson tospring training as a non-roster invitee in 2014.[15] The Reds assigned Stephenson to Pensacola. He appeared in the 2014All-Star Futures Game.[16] He had a 7–10 record and a 4.74 ERA while striking out 140 batters in136+2⁄3 innings pitched with Pensacola.[17] The Reds invited Stephenson to spring training in 2015.[18] He began the season with Pensacola, where he pitched to a 3.68 ERA with 89 strikeouts in78+1⁄3 innings, including a 2.36 ERA in his last ten starts, before he was promoted to theLouisville Bats of theTriple–AInternational League.[19] After the season, the Reds added him to their 40-man roster.[20]
After competing for a spot in the Reds'starting rotation forOpening Day during spring training in 2016, the Redsoptioned him to Louisville to start the season.[21] On April 4, withHomer Bailey beginning the season on thedisabled list the Reds added Stephenson to their Opening Day roster.[22] He made his MLB debut on April 7, and was optioned back to Louisville after the start.[23] Stephenson was called up April 19, to make his second start in place of right-handerAlfredo Simon. In his second start, against theColorado Rockies Stephenson became the first Reds pitcher to complete seven innings up to that point in the 2016 season, allowing just three hits and one earned run while striking out three and walking two. After the game, Stephenson was optioned back to Louisville.[24] In 8 starts for the Reds, he finished 2–3 with a 6.08 ERA in 37 innings.
On July 22, 2017, Stephenson was recalled from Louisville.[25] For the season, in 25 games, 11 starts, Stephenson finished 5–6 with a 4.68 ERA in84+2⁄3 innings. He struck out 86 but walked 53 batters. He spent the majority of the 2018 season with Louisville, only making four appearances for Cincinnati towards the end of the season.
In 2019, Stephenson was used as arelief pitcher He appeared in 57 games, all out of the bullpen, and enjoyed career bests in ERA (3.76), WHIP (1.036), K/9 (11.3), BB/9 (3.3), and H/9 (6.0). Stephenson attributed his recent success to letting go of expectations and focusing on the present.[26] In 2020, Stephenson recorded a 9.90 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 10 innings pitched, as eight of his 11 hits allowed were home runs.[27]
On November 25, 2020, Stephenson and Jameson Hannah were traded to theColorado Rockies in exchange forJeff Hoffman and Case Williams.[28] In his first season in Colorado, Stephenson posted a 3.13 ERA in 49 games. He struck out 52 batters in 46 innings. He had a 6.04 ERA for the Rockies in 2022, with a 10.38 ERA in eight appearances in August,[29] and was designated for assignment on August 25.[30]
ThePittsburgh Pirates claimed Stephenson off ofwaivers on August 27, 2022.[31] He had a 3.38 ERA in13+1⁄3 innings with the Pirates.[29] On January 13, 2023, Stephenson agreed to a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Pirates, avoiding salary arbitration.[32]
On June 2, 2023, the Pirates traded Stephenson to theTampa Bay Rays in exchange forAlika Williams.[33][34] In 42 appearances out of the bullpen, he registered a 2.35 ERA with 60 strikeouts across38+1⁄3 innings of work. Stephenson became a free agent following the season.
On January 23, 2024, Stephenson signed a three-year, $33 million contract with theLos Angeles Angels.[35] On April 18, it was announced that Stephenson would miss the entirety of the season due to an undisclosed elbow injury.[36] The following week, the injury was revealed to be aUCL injury that necessitatedTommy John surgery.[37]
Stephenson returned to action in 2025, making rehab appearances for the Triple-ASalt Lake Bees and Single-AInland Empire 66ers. On May 28, 2025, Stephenson was activated from the injured list to make his Angels debut.[38] He made two scoreless appearances for Los Angeles before being placed back on the injured list with right biceps inflammation on June 2.[39] Stephenson was transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 24.[40] He was activated on August 22.[41] In 12 appearances for Los Angeles, Stephenson logged a 2-0 record and 2.70 ERA with 10 strikeouts over 10 innings of work. On September 20, Stephenson was placed on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation, officially ending his season.[42]
Stephenson and his wife married in 2017, with fellow Reds pitcherSal Romano serving as the best man.[43] Robert's mother, Rowena is aFilipino American fromPangasinan.[44][45]
