Tyler Stephenson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Born in Atlanta and raised in Kennesaw, Georgia, Stephenson played for the baseball team at Kennesaw Mountain High School, where he began calling pitches during his freshman season. The Reds drafted Stephenson out of high school, and he chose to forego his college baseball commitment to begin his professional career in their farm system. Stephenson suffered significant injuries during consecutive minor league seasons in 2016 and 2017, but he remained healthy the next two years and received praise from Southern League managers as a defensive catcher. The upheavals caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to MLB meant that Stephenson spent most of the 2020 season at an alternate training site rather than playing in Triple-A. He made his MLB debut that year, hitting a home run in his first major league plate appearance, but was used rarely, as the Reds had two catchers. When Curt Casali left the team prior to the 2021 season, Stephenson became Tucker Barnhart's backup catcher, and he also received significant time as a pinch hitter. Barnhart was traded after the 2021 season, allowing Stephenson to become the Reds' starting catcher in 2022.

In Their Own Story

Stephenson's breakthrough came in 2021 after the departure of Curt Casali left him as Tucker Barnhart's backup. While initially slated to back up Barnhart, manager David Bell ensured Stephenson received significant playing time, particularly against left-handed pitchers. He thrived in this role and stepped in at first base during Joey Votto's injury in May, batting .316 over a seven-game span. By September 10, he was 9-for-35 as a pinch hitter with three home runs and 12 RBI. His rookie campaign concluded with a .286 average, 10 home runs, and 45 RBI, earning him a spot on the MLB All-Rookie First Team. However, his ascent to becoming the Reds' everyday catcher in 2022 was marked by physical battles; he suffered a concussion on April 19 from a collision with Luke Voit, fractured his right thumb on June 10, and fractured his right clavicle on July 22, ending his season.

Reader's Guide

Tyler Stephenson is a catcher for the Cincinnati Reds. He was drafted 11th overall in 2015 out of Kennesaw Mountain High School. He made his MLB debut on July 26, 2020, hitting a home run on the second pitch he saw, a 94 mph fastball from Duane Underwood Jr. of the Chicago Cubs. He became the Reds' starting catcher in 2022 after Tucker Barnhart was traded.

Did You Know?

• Stephenson hit a home run in his first major league plate appearance on July 26, 2020.
• He was named the best defensive catcher in the Southern League by Baseball America in a survey of league managers.
• Stephenson received the Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award in the Arizona Fall League.