Thursday, June 15, 2017

Meet a Prospect: Trevor Stephan


When Day Two of the MLB First Year Players Draft kicked off the New York Yankees continued their presumable arms race this draft by taking yet another arm. This time it was right-handed starting pitcher Trevor Stephan from the University of Arkansas. Stephan, the 92nd overall pick in the draft, moved from first base to pitcher as a freshman and showed enough promise in the move that the Boston Red Sox drafted him in the 18th round last season in the Draft. Obviously Stephan stayed in school and transferred to the Razorbacks where he put together one of the better seasons in the SEC in 2017. Let’s meet him. This is Meet a Prospect: The Trevor Stephan Edition.

Stephan has one of the best fastballs in the South and he showcased it in 2017 sitting between 90-95 MPH with the heater while also touching 97 MPH. If that weren’t enough you can also throw in a very deceptive crossfire delivery that gave SEC hitters a fit in 2017 to the tune of a 2.87 ERA. Stephan is a big figure on the mound standing 6’5” and weighing in at 225 lbs. which makes his ability to locate his fastball on both sides of the plate a bit unique.

Stephan does not come without his question marks though like any prospect and where Stephan excels in the fastball department he lacks in the secondary pitch department. Stephan added a slider and cutter combination to his repertoire in 2017 but many scouts believe unless he can harness and master those pitches, and he hasn’t yet as a college player, that he may be better suited for a relief role going forward in his professional career. I’d take another Dellin Betances, just saying.

Stephan recently scrapped a curveball and has rarely used a changeup during his amateur career so this may be something the Yankees minor league personnel can work on with him. If they can add a second and third pitch to his arsenal then the Yankees may have found a diamond in the rough, and if not they may have yet another shut down reliever throwing upwards of 100 MPH coming out of the farm system and into the bullpen. Either way suits me just fine.


Follow Trevor on Twitter by following @tstep23. Welcome him to the family!


11 comments:

  1. It's being reported that Trevor Stephan has been signed for $800K (or $211,300 above slot value). Let's hope the combination of his talent with Yankees coaching/pitching instruction yields a future superstar.

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    1. We have a member of this blog that thinks the Yankees have never and will never develop a top of the order pitcher.
      But not to worry, we do have a few coming around which should make us all happy. Now, if they would bring up one or two of the power arms we have on the farm, and get some hitters hitting again...it would make everyone happy...say what!

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    2. To be fair, Reed, I don't think the guy you're talking about will ever be happy.

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    3. I assume you gutless guys are talking about me? I have an always will use your names and not hide behind the keyboard. So guys tell me what pitcher under the Elf regime have they developed as a top flight starter? I'll graciously await both of you brain surgeons opinion!

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    4. 1. My name is right here, and all over this website. So I'm not hiding at all.

      2. I'm not defending the team's ability to produce top flight starters. Not that I can't, I simply don't care to talk about something I've discussed ad nauseam in the past.

      3. I've never heard you say anything postive about the team, let alone come across as "happy". Which is all I was commenting about.

      We're all "hiding behind a keyboard". If you're ever in Columbus then look me up, and I'll be glad to discuss all of this face to face. That's not meant as a threat at all, just pointing out that I have no problem saying what I'm saying to your face.

      I'm glad we can have a conversation around here without insults like "gutless" or sarcastically calling one another "brain surgeons".

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    5. I'm talking about using my name when making statements when you are referring to me. I know your name was there.

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  2. Glad to see everyone has met and is getting along so well.

    Coffee anyone?

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    1. Hay, Daniel...we are getting along just fine, I had my coffee before I made a jab at KH. He just has no since of hummer...sometimes! He is a good guy, I like him...even if we don't have the same outlook about the team.
      Maybe I should have had another cup of coffee!?
      Are we having fun yet?

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  3. Listen I have no problem saying shit about me. Just use my name and don't be gutless. Don't say we have a member of this blog. I have no respect for people that can't call it the way the see it even when they're wrong. Not one pitcher the elf and his cronies have drafted have turned into anything as of yet. Severin and Montgomery have a shot but until they put consecutive good seasons together they are just suspects.

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    1. I have been called many names...mostly very bad names but...GUTLESS is one nobody has ever had a reason to use of me, ever! I never was much for leading from the desk.

      You have a very thin skin to not understand it was meant as a poke at you...in jest.

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    2. KH, you may be interested to know, Cashman has replaced and revamped his Farm Staff. Things are being done now that were never thought of in years past. Have faith and give things time to work out.
      Relax and have fun, life is short!

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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)