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Tyler Stephenson
Tyler Stephenson
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Tyler Robert Stephenson[1] (born August 16, 1996) is an American professional baseball catcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Reds selected him in the first round, 11th overall, of the 2015 MLB draft.

Key Information

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.

Early life

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Stephenson was born on August 16, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia,[1] to Rhonda and David Stephenson.[2] He was raised in the suburb of Kennesaw, Georgia, and frequently attended baseball games at Turner Field to watch Chipper Jones and the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB).[3] A catcher for the baseball team at Kennesaw Mountain High School, Stephenson began telling the pitcher what to throw during his freshman year, as his coach wanted to prepare him for the game-calling responsibilities of professional catchers.[4] Offensively, Stephenson batted .415 during his senior year, with eight home runs and 25 runs batted in (RBI).[5]

Professional career

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Draft and minor leagues (2015–2019)

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Stephenson with the Dayton Dragons in 2017

The Cincinnati Reds selected Stephenson in the first round, 11th overall, of the 2015 MLB draft.[6] He had previously committed to play college baseball for Georgia Tech, but chose to forego that commitment in favor of signing with Cincinnati. After signing professionally, Stephenson was assigned to the Rookie-level Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League.[7] He played in 54 games for Billings, batting .268 with one home run and 16 RBI in 194 at bats.[8] He began the 2016 season with the Dayton Dragons in the Low-A Midwest League, where he batted .196 in 25 games before going on the disabled list with a wrist sprain at the end of May. After completing a five-game rehabilitation assignment with the Arizona League Reds, Stephenson rejoined the Dragons on July 13.[9] He finished the season batting .278 in 139 at bats, with three home runs and 16 RBI in 39 Midwest League games.[8] During his Arizona League rehabilitation assignment, Stephenson met major league outfielder Jesse Winker, who was also recovering from a wrist injury, and his discussions with Winker informed his plate discipline. Stephenson went from 12 walks and 45 strikeouts in 2016 to 44 walks and 58 strikeouts in 2017.[10]

Stephenson rejoined the Dragons for the 2017 Minor League Baseball season. He suffered a season-ending injury on July 14, when he injured a ligament in his thumb while sliding into a base. At the time of the injury, Stephenson had been batting .278 in 295 at bats, with six home runs and 50 RBI in 80 games. In the last 10 of those games, he batted .355 with 11 hits, seven runs scored, and three RBI in 31 at bats.[11] Stephenson was promoted to the Class A-Advanced Daytona Tortugas of the Florida State League for the 2018 season. He remained fully healthy throughout the season but was uneven at the plate: Stephenson batted .351 through the first half of the minor league season but only .188 in August.[12] He batted .250 for the season, with 11 home runs and 59 RBI in 388 at bats across 109 games,[8] and was a Florida State League All-Star at the end of the season.[13]

The Reds' farm system promoted Stephenson to the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern League for the 2019 minor league season.[14] In 89 games and 312 at bats there, Stephenson batted .285 with six home runs and 44 RBI,[8] finishing strong with a .360 average in the final month of the regular minor league season.[15] In a survey of Southern League managers conducted by Baseball America, Stephenson was also named the league's best defensive catcher.[16] After the season, the Reds sent Stephenson, who had platooned the catcher position with Chris Okey, to the Arizona Fall League to continue his development.[17] He batted .347 in 13 games for the Glendale Desert Dogs, with seven doubles and three RBI, and received the Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award as the player who "best exemplifies unselfishness, hard work, and leadership" in the Arizona Fall League.[18] That November, the Reds added Stephenson to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[19]

Cincinnati Reds (2020–present)

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Stephenson with the Cincinnati Reds in 2021

Stephenson was slated to begin the 2020 season with the Triple-A Louisville Bats, but the changes to the 2020 MLB season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic meant that he was instead one of several prospects assigned to an alternate training site in Prasco Park, where he could be promoted in case of injury or illness to Tucker Barnhart or Curt Casali.[3][20] The Reds sustained a number of injuries and illnesses at the beginning of their pandemic-abbreviated season, and Stephenson was promoted to make his MLB debut on July 26, 2020. Relieving Casali in the seventh inning, he hit a home run on the second pitch he saw, a 94 mph (151 km/h) fastball from Duane Underwood Jr. of the Chicago Cubs. It was the third time in franchise history that a Red had hit a home run in their first major league plate appearance, and the first time since Ted Tappe did so against the Brooklyn Dodgers on September 14, 1950.[21] Pinch-hitting for leadoff hitter Shogo Akiyama in the first game of a doubleheader on September 14, Stephenson hit his first walk-off home run to win 3–1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.[22][23] Stephenson was used sparingly during the 2020 season, batting .294 with two home runs, four runs scored, and six RBI in eight games.[24] He had hoped to join the Reds for the 2020 National League Wild Card Series against his hometown Atlanta Braves,[3] but was ineligible to participate because he had been optioned off the major league roster too close to the end of the regular season.[25] The Braves won the Wild Card, shutting out the Reds twice in the best-of-three series and eliminating them from the playoffs.[26]

The offseason departure of Curt Casali allowed Stephenseon to appear on the Reds' 2021 Opening Day roster alongside Tucker Barnhart.[24] Although he was slated to back up Barnhart, Reds manager David Bell hoped to afford Stephenson significant playing time throughout the season as well, telling reporters in April, "[Barnhart] is getting two out of three [starts] right now ... But there will be other times of the year where, dpeending on a certain situation, maybe that would be reversed."[27] The left-handed Barnhart started more often against right-handed starting pitchers, while the right-handed Stephenson received more playing time against southpaw pitchers.[28] Stephenson also spent time at first base in May after an injury to Joey Votto.[29] Regular playing time in the middle of the batting order during Votto's injury seemed beneficial for Stephenson, who batted .316 over a seven-game span in Votto's absence, and Bell promised to find Stephenson opportunities to bat even in games he did not start that season.[30] He was a successful pinch hitter when not catching, going 9-for-35 with two doubles, three home runs, and 12 RBI in pinch-hitting situations by September 10.[31] The Reds fell short of postseason contention, finishing seven games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the Wild Card race, but Stephenson had a strong rookie season, batting .286 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI.[32] He additionally led all rookie catchers with a .797 on-base plus slugging (OPS) and was named to the MLB All-Rookie First Team.[33] Stephenson received two third-place votes in balloting for NL Rookie of the Year, an award which was won by Cincinnati teammate Jonathan India.[34]

The Reds traded Barnhart to the Detroit Tigers during the 2021–22 offseason, with general manager Nick Krall telling reporters that the move allowed Stephenson to become Cincinnati's everyday catcher in 2022.[35] On April 19, Stephenson sustained a concussion when Luke Voit of the San Diego Padres collided with him at home plate: Voit was attempting to score on the play, while Stephenson was tagging him out.[36][37] He returned two weeks later after clearing concussion protocols.[38] Stephenson was injured again on June 10, fracturing his right thumb on a foul tip off the bat of Jordan Luplow during Cincinnati's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.[39] He was activated from the 10-day injured list on July 9 and returned to his role as everyday catcher.[40] On July 22, Stephenson fractured his right clavicle on a foul tip off the bat of St. Louis Cardinals hitter Paul Goldschmidt.[41] Stephenson required surgery to repair the fracture, which effectively ended his season.[42]

To ease Stephenson back into playing, the Reds planned to have Stephenson catch 65 games in 2023, with Curt Casali and Luke Maile taking the rest of the workload. On days he did not catch, Stephenson would play first base or serve as Cincinnati's designated hitter.[43] This plan was abandoned by the end of May, with manager David Bell telling reporters that learning first base was "a lot to handle" for a young player like Stephenson.[44] Stephenson's 2023 season was a step back offensively: he batted .243 with 13 home runs over 142 games, and he saw a decrease in power from the past two years.[45] He also struggled defensively, particularly with pitch framing,[46] and young pitchers like Hunter Greene and Andrew Abbott preferred to work with Maile, which limited Stephenson's playing time towards the end of the season.[45]

Stephenson showed an immediate power improvement in 2024, recording his first major league grand slam on April 20 against the Los Angeles Angels.[47] He hit his career-high 14th home run of the season on August 6 against the Miami Marlins.[48] In addition to his power, Stephenson increased his plate discipline, focusing on making hard contact, while also enhancing his framing as a catcher.[49] Stephenson also put more time into studying opponents and personally working with the pitching staff, improving his rapport with his batterymates.[50]

Personal life

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Stephenson married his wife Carlyn before the 2022 MLB season.[51] They have one child together: a daughter born June 28, 2024.[52]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Tyler Stephenson is an American professional baseball catcher for the of (MLB). Born on August 16, 1996, in , Georgia, he attended Kennesaw Mountain High School and was selected by the Reds in the first round, 11th overall, of the 2015 MLB Draft, signing for a $3.2 million bonus. A right-handed batter and thrower standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 225 pounds, Stephenson primarily plays but has also appeared at first base during his career. Stephenson progressed through the Reds' minor league system before making his MLB debut on July 27, 2020, against the Indians, where he recorded a single in his first at-bat. His rookie season in 2021 marked a breakout year, as he appeared in 132 games, batting .286 with 10 home runs, 45 RBIs, and a 2.0 WAR, earning him a sixth-place finish in National League Rookie of the Year voting. Limited by injuries to just 50 games in 2022, where he still hit .319 with 6 home runs, Stephenson rebounded in 2024 with a .258 average, 19 home runs, and 66 RBIs over 138 games. Through the 2025 season, his career totals include a .261 , 63 home runs, 258 RBIs, and a .764 in 1,754 at-bats, primarily as a power-hitting known for clutch performances. In 2025, Stephenson contributed 13 home runs and 50 RBIs in 299 at-bats for a .231 and .737 , highlighted by a grand slam on June 14 against the Detroit Tigers that gave the Reds a 6-1 lead and a career-high four-hit game, including a game-tying homer, on September 24 versus the . He reached his 400th career hit earlier that year, solidifying his role as a key offensive contributor behind the plate for the Reds.

Early life

Family and upbringing

Tyler Stephenson was born on August 16, 1996, in , Georgia. He is the son of Rhonda and David Stephenson. Stephenson was raised in , a suburb northwest of , where his family provided a supportive environment for his early interests. He has one , a sister named Morgan Stephenson, who later married and became Morgan Gleason. Growing up in this close-knit community, Stephenson developed a passion for from a young age, with the sport serving as a constant presence in his life "since Day 1," as he has described it. His family's encouragement played a key role in fostering this early dedication, including attending games together, which sparked his admiration for the team and players like during his childhood. Stephenson's initial exposure to baseball came through local youth leagues in the Kennesaw area, where he honed his skills as a catcher before entering high school. This foundation in community-based play, backed by his parents' involvement, solidified his commitment to the sport over other pursuits.

High school career

Tyler Stephenson attended Kennesaw Mountain High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, where he developed as a catcher on the school's team. During his high school years, he honed his skills behind the plate, including calling pitches, which showcased his advanced game awareness for a young player. In his senior year, Stephenson posted a .415 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs, earning him selection to the 2014-15 All-USA Georgia Baseball Team as a . These performances highlighted his power potential and offensive contributions, solidifying his reputation as one of Georgia's top high school prospects. Stephenson attracted significant recruitment interest from colleges, ultimately committing to on a . His prospect status was further elevated through participation in prominent high school showcases, such as the 2011 Perfect Game National Underclass Showcase-Main Event, where scouts noted his large athletic build and strong arm. With support from his family, he balanced the demands of rigorous training alongside his academic responsibilities at .

Professional career

Draft and minor leagues (2015–2019)

The Cincinnati Reds selected catcher Tyler Stephenson in the first round, 11th overall, of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft out of Kennesaw Mountain High School in Georgia. Stephenson, who had committed to Georgia Tech during his high school career, signed with the Reds on June 12 for a $3,141,600 bonus, the slot value for his draft position, opting to turn professional rather than attend college. Stephenson began his professional career that summer with the Rookie-level Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League, appearing in 54 games and batting .268 with one and 16 RBI. He also played five games for the Arizona League Reds, hitting .250 with one . Injuries significantly limited Stephenson's playing time over the next two seasons. During 2016 with the Dayton Dragons, he dealt with a early in the year and a left sprain that required after multiple stints on the disabled list, restricting him to 44 games total across levels while batting .216 with four home runs. In 2017, Stephenson showed offensive improvement with the Dragons, batting .278 with six home runs and 28 RBI in 80 games before a torn ligament in his right thumb necessitated and ended his season in July. After a healthy 2018 season at Daytona, where he played 109 games and hit 11 home runs, Stephenson advanced to Double-A Chattanooga in 2019. There, he batted .285 with six home runs and 44 RBI in 89 games, earning recognition as the Southern League's best defensive catcher in a poll of league managers. Through the end of the 2019 regular season, Stephenson had compiled a .267 with 28 home runs over 289 games. He capped the year by participating in the with the , where he batted .347 in 13 games and received the Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award for his conduct and leadership.

MLB debut and early seasons (2020–2021)

Stephenson made his major league debut with the on July 27, 2020, entering as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at . In his first later that inning, he hit a solo off left-handed reliever Brad Wieck, trimming the Reds' deficit to 8-2 and marking him as the third player in franchise history to homer in his debut at-bat, joining and Eric Davis. In the pandemic-shortened 60-game season, Stephenson appeared in eight games for the Reds, primarily as a backup , while batting .294 with two home runs and six RBI over 17 at-bats. A highlight came on September 14, 2020, when he belted a walk-off two-run homer against the in the bottom of the ninth inning of a 3-1 victory, securing a series sweep and aiding the Reds' push toward the expanded , which they reached as a wild card team. His debut season showcased early promise at the plate, though limited playing time reflected his role behind veterans like . Entering 2021 as a top prospect, Stephenson secured the primary catching duties midway through the year, displacing Barnhart and appearing in 132 games while adapting to the rigors of major league pitching with a .286 , 10 home runs, and 45 RBI across 350 at-bats. His offensive contributions, including 21 doubles and a .797 that led all catchers, helped stabilize the Reds' lineup during a competitive wild card race that fell just short. Defensively, he handled a major league-high workload for a backstop, leveraging skills honed in the minors—such as strong pitch framing—to post solid metrics in and passed balls. Key moments included his first multi-hit game on May 29, 2021, against the Chicago Cubs, where he delivered a game-tying bases-loaded double, and a walk-off single on July 2, 2021, versus the Padres to snap a four-game skid. Over his first two seasons (2020–2021), Stephenson compiled a .287 with 12 home runs in 140 games, earning recognition on MLB Pipeline's 2021 All-Rookie Team for his breakout performance.

Injuries and recovery (2022–2023)

In 2022, Tyler Stephenson's season was severely disrupted by multiple injuries. He was placed on the seven-day on April 20 after a collision at the plate with Padres outfielder the previous day. He returned to the lineup on May 3 following a brief recovery period. On June 10, Stephenson suffered a fractured right thumb when hit by a pitch during a game against the Chicago Cubs, landing him on the 10-day and sidelining him for approximately four to six weeks. He was reinstated on July 9 after rehabilitation. Later that month, on July 22, a foul tip from Cardinals struck Stephenson near his right shoulder, resulting in a fractured right . He underwent on August 4 to stabilize the fracture and was transferred to the 60-day , ruling him out for the remainder of the season. These setbacks limited Stephenson to 50 games in 2022, during which he posted a .319 with 6 home runs and 35 RBIs. Throughout his recovery, Stephenson collaborated closely with the ' medical staff, focusing on targeted to rebuild shoulder stability and incorporating mental conditioning exercises to enhance resilience amid repeated physical challenges. This process extended over several months, with Stephenson gradually resuming activities by late fall 2022, emphasizing a cautious return to full motion to prevent re-injury. Stephenson made a full return in 2023, appearing in 142 games and demonstrating improved durability compared to the prior year. He batted .243 with 13 home runs and 56 RBIs, though his power output showed a noticeable decline from his pre-injury peaks, attributed in part to the lingering effects of the surgery and an adjusted approach at the plate during recovery. Over the combined 2022–2023 seasons, he played in 192 games, compiling a .254 , 19 home runs, and 91 RBIs. The string of injuries took a toll psychologically, as Stephenson openly discussed the frustration of prolonged absences and the mental hurdles involved in rebuilding confidence after setbacks like his third career . Drawing motivation from his promising rookie performances in 2020–2021, he emphasized developing a stronger mindset through team support and personal reflection to overcome the emotional strain of uncertainty.

Recent performance (2024–2025)

In 2024, Tyler Stephenson achieved career highs in several offensive categories, batting .258 with 19 home runs and 66 RBIs over 138 games for the . He also recorded 69 runs, 118 hits, and 46 extra-base hits, showcasing improved power development that contributed to a .782 . A highlight was his first career grand slam on April 20 against the , which ignited a five-run first inning in a 7-5 victory. Defensively, Stephenson led National League catchers with 127 games behind the plate and 1,001 innings caught, while enhancing his pitch framing, particularly on low-middle strikes, improving from -9 framing runs in 2023 to +2 in 2024. Stephenson's versatility as a and helped stabilize the Reds' lineup in 2024, splitting time between the two positions to manage his workload following prior injury challenges. In the final 71 games, he hit 13 home runs with 42 RBIs and an .837 , aligning with the team's five games over .500 during that stretch. Entering 2025, Stephenson started on the with a left oblique strain but returned in early May, posting a .231 average, 13 home runs, and 50 RBIs in 88 games through the end of the season. Highlights included reaching his 400th career hit on , his second career grand slam on June 14 against the Detroit Tigers—which gave the Reds a 6-1 lead in an 11-1 win—and a career-high four-hit game on September 24 against the , featuring a game-tying solo homer in the ninth inning of a 4-3 extra-innings loss. A mid-season setback occurred on August 20 when he suffered a fractured left thumb, placing him on the 10-day IL retroactive to August 17 and sidelining him for approximately two weeks before his activation on September 5. Despite the absences, his hybrid role continued to provide lineup flexibility, with 40 runs scored and a .737 . Over the combined 2024–2025 seasons, Stephenson maintained a .247 batting average with 32 home runs across 226 games, updating his career totals to .261, 63 home runs, and 258 RBIs. His rebound from earlier durability issues positions him as a candidate for a long-term contract extension with the Reds, though his future remains uncertain amid competition from teammate Jose Trevino and his walk year in 2026. While not yet an All-Star, Stephenson's consistent power and defensive progress signal potential for greater recognition if health holds.

Personal life

Family

Tyler Stephenson married Carlyn Odom on December 4, 2021, prior to the start of the . Carlyn Stephenson, née Odom and born on , 1996, is the daughter of Dr. Albert E. Odom Jr., a physician, and Carole Odom. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Savannah Frankie Stephenson, on June 28, 2024, in . Stephenson's teammates joined in the celebration, performing a dugout dance in his honor upon his return to the team shortly after the birth. With the family based in , Carlyn provides essential support for Stephenson amid the demands of MLB travel, including frequent road trips and a rigorous schedule that keeps him away from home for extended periods. His sister, Morgan Gleason, and brother-in-law, Jamie Gleason, have been involved in key career moments, such as attending his games during a 2021 homecoming series in . Stephenson has described fatherhood as a profound positive shift in perspective, helping him navigate the challenges of balancing family life with his commitments during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. His parents, Rhonda and David Stephenson, supported his early interest in baseball while raising him in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Philanthropy and community involvement

Tyler Stephenson has been actively involved in philanthropy since his major league debut, with a particular emphasis on advocating against the use of anabolic steroids and performance-enhancing substances in baseball. In August 2022, he joined the Advisory Board of Major-League Players for the Taylor Hooton Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 2004 following the death of 17-year-old Taylor Hooton from anabolic steroid use. The foundation's mission is to educate youth across North America about the dangers of appearance and performance-enhancing drugs, having reached over 2 million people through partnerships with Major League Baseball and community programs. Stephenson's involvement stems from a commitment to serve as a positive role model for young athletes, drawing inspiration from the foundation's efforts to prevent similar tragedies in youth and professional sports. As a board member, Stephenson has participated in key awareness campaigns, including the foundation's 2022 ALL ME public-service initiative, which promotes healthy alternatives to performance-enhancing substances. He has been featured in print public service announcements distributed through team programs and major MLB events such as the , , and . Additionally, Stephenson contributes to the development of effective educational strategies and engages in to amplify the foundation's message. In 2025, he supported the Community Fund's PLAY Clinic, an event partnering with the Taylor Hooton Foundation to promote positive life choices among youth through baseball-related activities. Beyond advocacy, Stephenson has made community appearances with the , focusing on youth development in both and his hometown area of Georgia. In , he co-hosted the inaugural Reds Catchers Camp in June 2022 at , providing three hours of instruction to over 100 aspiring catchers aged 12-19 alongside coaches and teammates. These clinics emphasize skill-building and , aligning with Stephenson's broader off-field efforts to inspire young players. In Georgia, near Kennesaw where he grew up, Stephenson has participated in Reds community initiatives that extend education and mentorship to local youth, fostering connections between professional players and their communities. Stephenson also supports local charities in the area, notably through collaborations with Cincinnati Children's Hospital. For MLB's 2025 , he donated game-used cleats painted by hospital patients, which were auctioned to benefit pediatric care programs. His philanthropic work has earned recognition for exemplary , highlighted by his 2019 Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award from the , which honors players for their positive impact both on and off the field.

References

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