2023 Most Viewed Profile: #6 Dominic Stephenson

Georgia Tech Commit. 6-foot-1, 175 pounds. By now, you’ve probably heard of his legendary performance at Future Games as one of the event's youngest players. Since then Dom has only gotten better in every facet of the game. When you have an athlete like this at the catching position, it’s just a matter of time to see vast improvement. This is a player who could be just as good of a prospect as a CF, which is absolutely unheard of in a catcher. His effortless, gliding strides produce A/AVG MLB speed underway, and he’s only at the tip of the iceberg as far as physical development. When he’s sitting in that 185-190 lb range, thats when I feel the run tool will take off to plus. He already has a pro body, but the swing is even more pro. In a class of unbelievably pure hitters, it's truly saying something that Stephenson has the most pro ready swing mechanics in the class. What’s even crazier is that he’s had this swing his whole life, and has just sculpted it to perfection with lots of reps and innate feel for how his body works at the plate. Catchers with 5 tool potential are like finding a unicorn, and Dom certainly is one. The arm strength has continued to improve with a personal best pop time of 1.92, and the arm will be A/AVG on the low end. His receiving, blocking, footwork, and transfer continue to improve. There is no doubt he has the toughness to catch long term, and I feel he could play multiple positions at a high level in the future (C, 3B, CF). As it goes for most top prospects, what separates him most from his peers other than athleticism is the ability to hit for both average and power. That doesn’t happen without elite swing mechanics and exceptional intangibles. His confidence, pitch recognition, plate discipline, and approach are all advanced for his age. This now nationwide name will only continue to get larger over the next 3 years.

6-foot-1- 170-pounds, Georgia Tech commit. The 2022 Future Gamer looks even stronger than he did in the summer. Stephenson has burst onto the scene and has quickly become one of the best back stops in the nation. He did not see much to hit opening day, but pieced together a hard chopper to extent a rally for the Hoyas. The ability behind the plate did not go unnoticed, and was a huge factor in the game. He threw a guy out at 3rd in the 2nd inning, and had a strike them out, throw them out in the 5th that ended the inning.

Georgia Tech Commit. 6 foot 1, 175 pounds. It’s hard to believe a player who just turned 15 years old has swing mechanics better than many in pro ball, but it's true. Elite athleticism can do things like that, but it didn’t come without hard work. What are the keys that make Dom’s swing so advanced? First off is the simplicity in the swing. This is one of the biggest differences in an amateur swing to a pro swing. Most amateur swings have one or multiple wasted movements - hips load back too far, hands stray too far from hitting slot, head moves too much, swing is too rotational, separation is too big. Stephenson has zero wasted movement in the swing already, so the ceiling he can reach in his swing is elite. As he gets stronger (he’s going to be extremely strong) his quiet head will become completely motionless, bat speed more controlled & violent, forward move and bat path more efficient. His separation timing is already elite, and he’s able to create great rubberband effect without a lengthy load of the hands. This is one of the biggest reasons he hits velo so well at such a young age. He gunned down multiple runners at 2B in the Labor Day Open, registering 1.96 and 1.98 pop times. The potential to be an elite catch and throw guy is there, and everything about his mature demeanor and quiet confidence screams future star.

Stephenson was easily one of my favorite players at the event, performing well in all facets including presenting one of the highest ceilings at the event. The 6-foot-1, 168-pounder has significant room to add strength to a frame that is already impressive, and will only get more so. Behind the dish, his loose hips and soft hands provided the look of an advanced receiver, and the catch-and-throw capability is elite for the class. Though the defense was stellar, the bat is what really stood out at the event. A right-handed hitter, Stephenson slows things down in the box allowing his quick hands to work freely with length from the barrel through the zone while on a flat path. He went 3-for-6 in game play against some premium arms, and showed no issue tracking, picking up spin early and maintaining balance. It appears likely that he will see a significant uptick in power in coming years. Overall, the Future Games was a massive coming out party for the young Georgia product

Underclass Games 

Positional Profile: C/OF One of the top 2025s in the state, advanced athlete behind the plate with tools that will only get louder as he matures.
Body: 6-foot-0, 168-pounds. Strong, high-waisted frame with room to add, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed, slightly open stance with a high back elbow, smooth rhythm in hands, deeps and drops hands on load, short leg lift stride, great balance. Short, quick swing to the zone, gets extended and somewhat uphill through allowing him to lift and drive with force middle/pull, ball jumps off his barrel.
Power: 89.6 max exit velocity, averaged 81.4 mph. 306’ max distance. Projectable power.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. OF - 85 mph. Behind the plate, short arm action to an over-the-top slot, throws are true with back-spin, on target. Lengthens arm out in the outfield, carry.
Defense: 1.98-2.08 pop times. Behind the plate, light on his feet for his size, stays behind the ball well before exploding through his throw, quick footwork, quick and clean on exchanges. In the outfield, plays through fielding to glove-side, clean exchanges.
Run: 7.00 runner in the 60. Fluid with a clean gait.