Jake Stevenson

JAKE STEVENSON, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: March 24, 1997
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 225
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 10th Round, 294th Overall, 2019 (Reds)
How Acquired: Minor league free agent
College: University of Minnesota
Agent: N/A
WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE
The Reds drafted Stevenson out of Minnesota as a guy with good arm strength who didn’t have much success in college.  He threw his fastball 90-95 mph, reaching the upper-90s, but his secondary stuff was lacking.  Between the pandemic and injuries, he threw fewer than 50 innings for the Reds, characterized by significant control problems.  Cincinnati released him and the Pirates signed him to a minor league deal.  At that point, he was supposedly throwing 95-97, along with a cutter, slider and change.

2019
R+:  1-1-5, 3.10 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 20.1 IP, 6.2 BB/9, 13.7 K/9

Stevenson pitched in relief in advanced rookie ball.  He had a very high K rate, but also had a lot of trouble with walks.

2020
DNP

2021
R:  0-0-0, 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 2.0 IP, 9.0 BB/9, 18.0 K/9

Stevenson missed nearly the entire season due to unknown injuries.

2022
A+:  1-1-1, 10.13 ERA, 2.44 WHIP, 26.2 IP, 12.2 BB/9, 9.8 K/9
IND:  1-0-0, 2.79 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 9.2 IP, 2.8 BB/9, 12.1 K/9

The Reds sent Stevenson to high A, but he struggled badly with the strike zone.  They released him in August and he signed to play in the independent American Association.  He pitched well there over seven relief appearances, as he seemingly found the strike zone.

The Pirates probably signed Stevenson to make up for their losses in the minor league phase of the 2022 Rule 5 draft, which hit their mid-minors pitching depth hard.  He could go to Greensboro.
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2023: Minor league salary
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $7,500
MiLB Debut: 2019
MLB Debut:
MiLB FA Eligible: 2025
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Added to 40-Man: 11/19/2021 (since removed)
Options Remaining: 2 (USED:  2022)
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 4, 2019: Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 10th round, 294th overall pick; signed on June 10.
August 15, 2022: Released by the Cincinnati Reds.
February 9, 2023: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.