Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 60 | Overall: 40

Just 17 high schoolers signed as nondrafted free agents in the wake of the shortened five-round 2020 Draft, and the Rangers landed five of them. The best of those is Stephan, who gave up a commitment to Stephen F. Austin State because he wanted to start his pro career despite pandemic rules capping his bonus at $20,000. He excelled in High-A last year with a 2.17 ERA, .175 opponents' average against and 73/12 K/BB ratio in 62 1/3 innings, but he sustained a stress fracture in his back during fielding drills after his first Double-A start and missed the final two months. His overall 0.84 WHIP led all Minor League pitchers who worked at least 60 innings. 

Stephan doesn't light up radar guns but he can really pitch with his low-90s fastballs, creating run and sink on a two-seamer that sits at 91-92 mph and carry and run on a four-seamer that's a tick harder. They tunnel well with his plus low-80s slider, which has more depth than horizontal action. He also has advanced feel for a fading low-80s changeup. 

Stephan features an easy delivery that he repeats well, giving him plus control and the makings of solid command. His low arm slot and release height create life and deception without costing him strikes. He needs to add some strength and falls in love with his slider at times, but his pitchability and competitiveness give him a high floor and the upside of a No. 4 starter. 

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 45

In the aftermath of the shortened five-round Draft in 2020, 17 high school players signed as nondrafted free agents and the Rangers grabbed five of them. A Texas high school product, Stephan had committed to Stephen F. Austin State but wanted to launch his pro career despite pandemic rules capping his bonus at $20,000. He impressed in his first extended taste of full-season ball in 2022, recording a 3.14 ERA and 115/31 K/BB ratio in 103 1/3 innings between Single-A and High-A at age 20.

Stephan's low arm angle and release height create sink and run on a two-seam fastball in the low 90s and carry and run on a four-seamer than can sneak into the mid-90s. His heaters work well in tandem with his tight low-80s slider, which features more depth than sweep. He also exhibits good feel for a changeup with similar velocity and fading action.

Stephan repeats his easy delivery, enabling him to fill the strike zone. He shows the makings of at least average command and his biggest need is to gain some strength so he can add more power to his stuff. One of the more advanced young pitchers in the system, he has a high floor and the potential to become a No. 4 starter. 

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40 

Just 17 high school players signed as undrafted free agents following the shortened five-round 2020 Draft, and the Rangers landed five of them. A Texas high schooler, Stephan had committed to Stephen F. Austin State but wanted to turn pro despite pandemic rules capping his bonus at $20,000. One of the system's best performers in '22, he posted a 3.14 ERA, .219 opponents' average and 115/31 K/BB in 103 1/3 innings between Single-A and High-A. 

Stephan's best pitch is a low-80s slider with nice depth. He pairs it well with a two-seam fastball in the low 90s with sink and run, and he also will mix in a four-seam fastball that can creep into the mid-90s. He has good feel for a low-80s changeup with fade, giving him three effective pitches. 

Stephan employs an easy delivery and repeats it well. He provides plenty of strikes and is more advanced than most pitchers his age. He comes with a high floor and could develop into a No. 4 starter. 

Awards

SAL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2023

SAL Pitcher of the Week

Week	Team
07/02/2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	10/07/2024	Frisco RoughRiders activated RHP Josh Stephan.
	09/25/2024	RHP Josh Stephan assigned to Surprise Saguaros.
	07/20/2024	Frisco RoughRiders placed RHP Josh Stephan on the 7-day injured list.
	07/20/2024	Frisco RoughRiders placed RHP Josh Stephan on the 7-day injured list.
	04/21/2024	Frisco RoughRiders activated RHP Josh Stephan from the 7-day injured list.
	04/05/2024	Frisco RoughRiders placed RHP Josh Stephan on the 7-day injured list.
	09/20/2023	Frisco RoughRiders activated RHP Josh Stephan from the 7-day injured list.
	07/11/2023	Frisco RoughRiders placed RHP Josh Stephan on the 7-day injured list.
	07/11/2023	Frisco RoughRiders placed RHP Josh Stephan on the 7-day injured list.
	07/04/2023	RHP Josh Stephan assigned to Frisco RoughRiders from Hickory Crawdads.
	06/01/2023	Hickory Crawdads activated RHP Josh Stephan from the 7-day injured list.
	05/26/2023	Hickory Crawdads placed RHP Josh Stephan on the 7-day injured list retroactive to May 25, 2023.
	10/05/2022	Hickory Crawdads activated RHP Josh Stephan.
	09/09/2022	Hickory Crawdads transferred RHP Josh Stephan to the Development List.
	08/11/2022	RHP Josh Stephan assigned to Hickory Crawdads from Down East Wood Ducks.
	08/11/2022	Hickory Crawdads activated RHP Josh Stephan.
	09/01/2021	RHP Josh Stephan assigned to Down East Wood Ducks from ACL Rangers.
	06/25/2020	RHP Josh Stephan assigned to AZL Rangers.
	06/16/2020	Texas Rangers signed free agent RHP Josh Stephan to a minor league contract.