Tyler Stephenson, the Reds first round draft pick (No. 11 overall) in the 2015 MLB Draft made his debut in 2020 and got off to a great start, homering in his first at-bat.
He has spent time this season platooning with Tucker Barnhart at catcher, while also filling in and playing first base.
Tyler Stephenson:Inside the catcher's road to the Reds
The 24-year-old Georgia native certainly looks like he's going to be a part of the Reds' lineup for years to come.
Here are three things to know about Tyler Stephenson
Tyler Stephenson was almost a Yellow Jacket
The Kennesaw Mountain High School product was planning to stay in state before the Reds drafted him. He originally committed to play baseball at Georgia Tech after high school.
He was described in high school as: Extra large athletic build, very strong with plenty of room to get stronger. Top level arm strength behind the plate, good transfer and release, light on his feet for his size.
Tyler Stephenson is known for giving back to the community
Even going back to his minor league playing days, Stephenson has been a hit with the fans due to his friendly nature and work in the community.
In 2019, Stephenson was honored with the Arizona Fall League's Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award.
According to MLB.com:
The sportsmanship award is presented annually to the Arizona Fall League player who best exemplifies unselfishness, hard work, and leadership. The manager and coaching staff from each of the six AFL teams nominate one player for the award.
Why does Tyler Stephenson kiss his pinky finger?
If you've noticed Stephenson kissing his pinky finger before every pitch and every wondered why, the answer is simple: it's just a habit.
“It’s a habit, no story behind it," Stephenson told Hal McCoy. "I wish there were because people keep asking me about it. But why change if it’s working.”
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