Tyler Stephenson - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 CIN C 3 55

Grades Update: Nov 2020
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
55 60 50 50 45 60 40

Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Jake Kerns

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 225 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2015 Draft - Round 1
RuleV: On 40-man

Physical Description: Tall and built. A big man. Strong upper body. Muscular back and shoulders. Impressive forearms. Still has some room to grow. Ideal catcher's frame. Hard worker and a student of the game.

Hit: Slightly crouched stance. Little pre-pitch movement. Medium leg kick; has been toned down since reaching pro ball. Explosive hands that generate plus bat speed. Short, efficient swing geared toward line drive contact. Good eye. Shows an ability to check swing to lay off pitches. Good barrel control. High contact rate thanks to strong bat-to-ball skills. Grade: 50

Power: Ball explodes off the bat in BP. Possesses loud, plus raw power, but it has not translated to consistent in-game power. Gap power attributable to his focus toward line drive contact. Average exit velocity in the top half of the position in 2020 with a small sample; max exit velocity in the lower half. Capable of hitting the ball out of the farthest part of the park, as demonstrated by his first MLB at- bat, but power does not project beyond average without a more concentrated effort to drive the ball. Has an opportunity to better utilize his lower half in generating additional leverage. Has the underlying ability to see growth in the tool. Grade: 50

Field: Fringe-average receiver but has made strides in the past several seasons. Shows an understanding of framing but remains below average. Gets low to block pitches. Moves well behind the plate displaying particularly good footwork. Alert; high IQ behind the dish. Grade: 45

Arm: Strong arm with good carry. Average transferor. Pop times between 1.90 and 1.95 in limited looks this season. Needs to be more consistent getting the ball on target to maximize his natural arm strength. Grade: 60

Run: Showed above-average times as an amateur but a present below-average runner. Times down the line from the right side consistently in the 4.35-4.40 range. Moves well for a big man but not a base stealing threat. Grade: 40

Overall: Looks the part of a big-league catcher. Possesses an ideal frame and the tools necessary to be an above-average backstop, especially if he makes the adjustments necessary to generate more power. Has all-star talent if he continues to improve. Among the best prospects at the position.

OFP: 55
Role: 60 - Above-Average Everyday Regular: Occasional All-Star
Risk: Moderate