Stephen James Kolek (born April 18, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.
| Stephen Kolek | |
|---|---|
| San Diego Padres – No. 32 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: April 18, 1997 Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| March 21, 2024, for the San Diego Padres | |
| MLB statistics (through July 30, 2024) | |
| Win–loss record | 3–0 |
| Earned run average | 5.21 |
| Strikeouts | 39 |
| Teams | |
| |
Career
editKolek attended Shepherd High School in Shepherd, Texas.[1] He enrolled at Texas A&M University, where he played college baseball for the Texas A&M Aggies from 2016 to 2018.[2]
Los Angeles Dodgers
editThe Los Angeles Dodgers selected Kolek in the 11th round, with the 344th overall selection, of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.[3] He spent his first professional season with the rookie–level Ogden Raptors and Single–A Great Lakes Loons, accumulating a 1.42 ERA with 30 strikeouts across 17 contests.[4] Kolek returned to Great Lakes in 2019, going 7–8 with a 5.00 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 27 games (25 starts).[5] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
Seattle Mariners
editOn April 28, 2021, the Dodgers traded Kolek to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations.[7] He split the year between the Single–A Modesto Nuts, High–A Everett AquaSox, and Double–A Arkansas Travelers. In 24 combined appearances, Kolek struggled to a 6.03 ERA with 67 strikeouts across 59+2⁄3 innings pitched.[8] In 2022, he made 27 starts for Arkansas, registering a 6–13 record and 4.51 ERA with 138 strikeouts across 143+2⁄3 innings of work.[9] In 2023, Kolek made five scoreless appearances for Arkansas before being promoted to the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers, where he spent the remainder of the year. In 44 appearances for Tacoma, he recorded a 4.23 ERA with 65 strikeouts and 4 saves across 61+2⁄3 innings pitched.[10]
San Diego Padres
editOn December 6, 2023, the San Diego Padres selected Kolek from the Mariners in the Rule 5 draft.[11] On March 19, 2024, the Padres announced that Kolek made their Opening Day roster.[12] In 42 appearances out of the bullpen, he compiled a 5.21 ERA with 39 strikeouts over 46+2⁄3 innings pitched. Kolek was placed on the injured list with right forearm tendinitis on July 31.[13] He was transferred to the 60–day injured list on September 1, officially ending his season.[14]
Personal life
editHis brother is Tyler Kolek, a former professional baseball player and 2nd overall pick by the Miami Marlins in 2014.[15]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Zwerneman, Brent (June 17, 2017). "The other Kolek pitcher working out just fine for Texas A&M". Houston Chronicle.
- ^ "Stephen Kolek – Baseball". Texas A&M Athletics - 12thMan.com.
- ^ "Dodgers select some interesting prospects in Rounds 11–20 of MLB Draft".
- ^ "Stephen Kolek - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ "Stephen Kolek Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. December 6, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ "Kolek Takes Home Texas League Award".
- ^ "Stephen Kolek - Baseball Stats". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ "Rule 5 Roundup: Padres select reliever Stephen Kolek from Seattle". madfriars.com. December 6, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ "Padres add a reliever in Rule 5 draft". sandiegouniontribune.com. December 6, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ Mayo, Jonathan (December 6, 2023). "2023 Rule 5 Draft results: Pick by pick". MLB.com. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ "Jackson Merrill, Graham Pauley, Jeremiah Estrada, Stephen Kolek make Padres' roster in Seoul". sandiegouniontribune.com. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ "Padres' Stephen Kolek: Out with forearm tendinitis". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
- ^ "Padres Designate Lake Bachar For Assignment, Select Brandon Lockridge". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
- ^ Beckham, Jeff (March 28, 2014). "You Shall Know His Velocity". Texas Monthly.
External links
edit- Career statistics from MLB, or Baseball Reference (Minors)