Cal Stevenson started the season 3 for 25 at the plate for the IronPigs. That’s not unusual for the 28-year-old outfielder. He is a notoriously slow starter.
But Stevenson was still struggling with a .217 average entering June. Things were only moderately better in June despite better at-bats, fewer strikeouts and a higher percentage of hard-hit balls.
But Stevenson has been around the plate a time or two. He has not panicked, though he continues to be bewildered by the game.
“The game kind of averages out,” he said. “You just go out and things happen. You go on little runs and you feel unstoppable. You play to be patient with it, ride the roller coaster through those times.
“It’s crazy how fast things can happen in this game.”
After the slow start, Stevenson had a nine-game hitting streak in mid-May when he slashed .344/432/.563/.995 and was good into early June.
But then the line drives were caught or just foul. He was thrown out on a stellar defensive play or the bloopers didn’t find grass.
It’s nothing new for Stevenson, but it’s harder to swallow when it happens to a struggling hitter.
“I don’t feel like I’ve gotten [in a rhythm] so far,” he said. “I feel like my at-bats have been better. I’m hitting ball hard. I just haven’t gotten lucky in terms of finding a hole. I just try to stay optimistic about that and know what I’ve done in the past that I’ve gotten to where I’ve wanted to be. And show up with a good attitude.”
Even when Stevenson isn’t getting the hits, his eye at the plate, defense and base running continue to be stellar. He has stolen 16 bases in 18 attempts, walked 38 times in 57 games and has not made an error this season.
“I’m still walking at a rate I want to,” he said. “This game is weird. It’s challenging in so many ways since I came into pro ball. I’ve learned to be patient with it, understand how it is going to work out.”
Stevenson relies on his experience to work through the many challenges in a season. He started 2024 batting .182 in his first 14 games. He hit .186 in his first 28 games of 2023.
It is a trend he does not accept but works hard to avoid prolonged struggles at the plate and never lets it carry into the field.
The Blue Jays’ 10th-round pick in 2018 also is diligent about figuring out opposing pitchers are working him from year to year.
“I’ve been pounded away a lot more this year,” Stevenson said. “They’ve pounded me in in the past. I’m trying to take hits the other way, but I swing and foul it off or right at somebody. Things are not going my way. That’s the game. You just have to deal with it.”
Stevenson is doing well in 2025 against left-handed pitchers. He has a .415 on-base percentage in 41 plate appearances. The left-handed hitter has polished his approach, which perhaps has led to better results.
“I work to make them two-pitch guys,” he said, “and get either a fastball or slider. I just pick one. For righties, there is a little bit more to worry about, either changeups, breaking balls, sometimes a cutter or sinker. I try to figure which pitch they are trying to get you out with that day and figure out a way to attack it.”
Up next
RHP Andrew Painter (3-2, 4.24 ERA) faces Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RHP Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 4.95) in a 7:05 p.m. start from Coca-Cola Park.
Painter recently was named to the National League roster for the 2025 MLB Futures Game in Atlanta.
“The kid is a big future star, no pun intended,” IronPigs manager Anthony Contreras said. “He’s making strides every outing, which is why he is a top prospect. The Futures game is another time for him to get recognized. He earned that honor. It’s exciting for the organization to have somebody representing them.”
Class-A Clearwater catcher Eduardo Tait, 18, also will participate representing the Phillies. Current IronPigs outfielder Justin Crawford and Reading shortstop Aidan Miller played in last year’s game.
Contreras is impressed with Painter’s progress with each start with СŷƵ after missing two seasons following Tommy John surgery.
“The adjustments he’s making to refine his game,” Contreras said, “whether it’s holding runners, pitch execution, varying looks. It’s the little intricates of the game he’s diving into. That’s the kind of stuff that’s going to set him apart.
“When you have a big arm and the stuff, it’s the finer things of the game that can separate himself, doing what the game is telling him to do. Because he is still young and catching up, those are things you have to refine. He does a good job asking questions, sitting down with me and the pitching coaches trying to refine his game.”
Senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com
