It continues to be a wild journey for Jackson Stephens — from going practically 4 years between main league appearances, to just about a full season in a bullpen on a great workforce, after which kicking across the Braves’ group with numerous roster statuses… however he was nonetheless round in 2024 and even received a while within the majors for his bother.
How acquired
The Braves and Stephens first received acquainted again in January 2022, when he signed a minor league deal after spending a part of 2021 within the Mexican League. Since then, his roster standing has principally been a type of mini-roller coasters they’ve at pop-up Fourth of July carnivals or no matter: DFAed, re-signed, outrighted, IL stints, free company, re-signed, outrighted, free company… you get the concept. So far as the beginning of 2024 season is worried, Jackson was signed to a one-year cut up deal in November 2023.
What had been the expectations?
Stephens had a cromulent aid season in 2022: 53 1⁄3 innings, 90 ERA-, 91 FIP-, 102 xFIP-, all of which befit a mop-up reliever. The Braves, at all times desirous to attempt to stuff the bullpen with higher-leverage choices, crowded him out by 2023; amid accidents, he had an unremarkable 24 2⁄3 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett. Consequently, the one actual expectations for Stephens had been that he’d dangle round as a mop-up possibility if the Braves wanted a recent arm right here and there, and that he wouldn’t be notably horrible if truly known as up.
2024 Outcomes
Stephens didn’t make the membership out of Spring Coaching, however was known as up in early Might and made three aid appearances (together with a span the place he went 9 days between appearances). He was then outrighted, refused the task and elected free company, however re-signed straight away and spent the remainder of the yr in Gwinnett, once more battling accidents right here and there.
All three of his aid appearances got here in blowouts — two losses and one win. He received ten whole outs, and had a really foolish 65/191/170 line provided that, amid 17 batters confronted, he had two strikeouts, one stroll, one hit batter, and one homer allowed. He additionally had 46 2⁄3 innings for the Stripers, and as soon as once more had an xFIP within the low 4.00s.
What went proper?
Effectively, Stephens was round and wholesome sufficient to get a cup of espresso within the majors for a second straight yr. He’s additionally proven that he may be non-horrible at Triple-A, which is able to in all probability maintain him round in that very same function for so long as that stays the case.
Past that, there’s not a lot to speak about. He had a humorous outing proper earlier than getting punted from the roster, the place he escaped a bases-loaded jam of his personal making by getting a strikeout after which benefiting from a flyout. His curveball continues to be an actual weapon, however he doesn’t actually have a lot of worth to pair it with, which is why he’s a journeyman Triple-A man at this level.
What went unsuitable?
Effectively, Stephens didn’t precisely pitch nicely when he did get an opportunity, although it’s uncertain that something he was going to do in three mop-up appearances was going to persuade the workforce to maintain him employed on the huge league degree. The truth that he’s by no means had an xFIP under 4.00 in Triple-A (except for 2022, the place he made one good begin at Gwinnett for his solely minor league publicity of the season) simply isn’t nice.
However, hey, as a result of he pitched in three blowouts, he didn’t even actually have detrimental WPA within the outing the place he gave up a homer to Max Muncy, which was Muncy’s third of the sport and second in as many innings.
2025 Outlook
Stephens elected minor league free company (once more). Will the Braves re-sign him (once more) and provides him a quick stint within the majors (once more)? Keep tuned and discover out. Perhaps Stephens will work out a high quality providing to pair together with his very helpful curveball in some unspecified time in the future, however till then, he’s ye olde alternative degree mop-up reliever man, lengthy could he reign.
