Stephen Piscotty

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Stephen Piscotty
Runs batted in
354
Teams

Stephen Edward Piscotty (born January 14, 1991) is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Oakland Athletics organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Piscotty played college baseball for Stanford and was the Cardinals' first-round selection in the 2012 MLB draft. He made his major league debut on July 21, 2015, and was the Cardinals' organization Player of the Year that season. The Cardinals traded Piscotty to the Athletics after the 2017 season.

Early life and amateur career

Stephen Piscotty is the eldest of three sons of Michael and Gretchen Piscotty. He has two younger brothers, named Austin and Nicholas.[1] Born in Pleasanton, California, he began attending college baseball games of the Stanford Cardinal of Stanford University with his uncle for his birthday when he was young.[2] He grew up a fan of the Oakland Athletics.[3] Piscotty attended Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, where he played for the school's baseball team as a pitcher and a shortstop.[4][5] In 2009, his senior year, he was named the most valuable player of the East Bay Athletic League.[6]

The

Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in 2011 and was the Cape Cod League batting champion with a .349 batting average.[5][9][10]

Piscotty was named a preseason

won–lost record with a 2.57 earned run average in 2012.[5] During his Stanford career, he batted .340 with 124 runs, 132 RBIs, 43 doubles, 12 home runs and 62 walks in 172 games.[2]

Professional career

St. Louis Cardinals

The

High–A Florida State League (FSL) in 2013, where he was selected as an All-Star.[17]

After batting .295 with 15 home runs in 112 games for Palm Beach and the

Double–A Texas League in 2013, the Cardinals assigned Piscotty to the Arizona Fall League (AFL) to play for the Salt River Rafters.[18][19] Piscotty spent the 2014 season with the Memphis Redbirds of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League, and opened the 2015 season with Memphis. There, he batted .272 with an .841 OPS in 87 games for the Redbirds.[20]

2015

First baseman Ryan Howard (right) of the Philadelphia Phillies holding Piscotty on first base in a game in 2016

The

AT&T Park on August 29.[27]

While playing the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 28, Piscotty was injured on a fly ball into left field when he collided with Peter Bourjos' knee, which hit him in the head. He suffered a bruise, but tests results were negative for injury, including concussion.[28][29] His regular season totals in the major leagues included a .305 batting average, .359 on-base percentage, .494 slugging percentage, seven home runs and 39 RBI.[20] Ready for game action in time for the playoffs, Piscotty's first playoff appearance was in the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Chicago Cubs. There, he hit both his first career postseason home run and double in a 4–0 win.[30] The Cardinals lost the NLDS in four games, but Piscotty batted .375 and slugged 1.000, and hit three home runs and six RBI in four games.[31] He tied for sixth in the National League Rookie of the Year Award voting,[32] and was the franchise's Minor League Player of the Year for 2015.[20] He lost to the winner of the National League Rookie of the Year Award to Cubs' third baseman Kris Bryant.

2016

After spring training of

home runs and 85 RBI's. Piscotty also finished the season batting .363 with runners in scoring position.[36]

2017

Then 26, he signed a six-year extension for a reported $33.75 million ($5.625 mil. average), with a $15 million option for 2023 on April 3. Piscotty was not yet arbitration-eligible, and his first year of free-agent eligibility was to be 2022. Five years prior, the Cardinals plucked Piscotty out of Stanford University with one of the two picks they netted as compensation for Albert Pujols' departure. Since making his big league debut, Piscotty had posted a .282/.349/.467 slash line and an .816 OPS. In 2016, Piscotty led the Cards in games played (153), runs scored (86), RBIs (85) and game-winning RBIs (10).[37]

On April 4, he received the rare distinction of getting hit by a ball three times in one trip around the bases. At bat, he was hit by a pitch near the right elbow. Piscotty then hustled to second on a wild pitch, only to be struck on the left elbow by the catcher's throw. A few pitches later, he tried to score from second after a bobbled-ball error in the infield. The second baseman's throw hit him in the left side of his helmet as he slid in safely at home plate. He was subject to

contusion. Starting pitcher and teammate Adam Wainwright said afterwards, "Probably the roughest turn around the bases I've ever seen."[38] He passed the concussion protocol on April 5, clearing him to play. He said he was more sore around his right elbow where he was hit by the pitch to start the unusual sequence of getting hit three times in one inning.[39]

He took personal leave on May 26.[40] After returning from personal leave, Piscotty was placed on the DL once again and missed 16 games.[41] Piscotty returned from the DL, and was subsequently optioned to Triple-A Memphis due to his underachieving year, with a .232 batting average.

Oakland Athletics (2018–2022)

On December 14, 2017, the Cardinals traded Piscotty to the

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).[43][44]
Gretchen died on May 6, 2018.

On May 15, 2018, in his first at-bat back after returning from bereavement leave following the death of his mother, Piscotty hit a home run.[45] Piscotty hit 27 home runs and drove in 88 runs in his first year with the A's, both career highs. Following the season, he won the Tony Conigliaro Award.[46]

On June 29, 2019, Piscotty sprained his knee trying to slide into second base in a game at the Los Angeles Angels. The injury limited him to 94 games in the 2019 season where he batted .249 with 13 home runs and 44 RBI.[citation needed] Piscotty hit two grand slams in 2020, the first of which gave the Athletics a 5–1 walk off win against the Texas Rangers on August 4. The second was hit 10 days later against the San Francisco Giants to tie the game in the ninth inning, which the A's began trailing 7–2. It was the first grand slam hit at Oracle Park in the ninth inning or later, as well as the 50th grand slam at that venue.[47] He finished the season hitting .226 with 5 home runs and 29 RBI.

On August 27, 2021, Piscotty underwent season-ending surgery on a lingering wrist injury.[48] In 72 games for Oakland, Piscotty slashed .220/.282/.353 with 5 home runs and 16 RBI.[citation needed] The Athletics released Piscotty on August 16, 2022; prior to his release, he had batted .190/.252/.341 with five home runs and 14 RBIs in 42 games.[49] He also had the slowest sprint speed of any major league right fielder, at 25.0 feet/second.[50]

Cincinnati Reds

On August 23, 2022, Piscotty signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds.[51] He played in 24 games for the Triple-A Louisville Bats down the stretch, slashing .250/.313/.455 with 5 home runs and 14 RBI. On November 10, Piscotty elected free agency.

San Francisco Giants

On February 6, 2023, Piscotty signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants organization.[52] On March 30, after not making the Opening Day roster, Piscotty requested and was granted his release by San Francisco.[53]

Chicago White Sox

On April 22, 2023, Piscotty signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.[54] In 51 games for the Triple–A Charlotte Knights, he batted .232/.330/.390 with 6 home runs and 32 RBI. On August 9, Piscotty was released by the White Sox organization.[55]

Oakland Athletics (second stint)

On February 3, 2024, Piscotty signed a minor league deal with the

Spring Training.[56]

Skills profile

With a short, compact swing, Piscotty consistently hits to the gaps. In the FSL, which is considered a pitcher-friendly league, he hit .292 with a .477 slugging percentage in 63 games. As of September 2013, he is thought to have a hit tool and approach that should help him get to the Major Leagues, but scouts are unsure if he will develop the type of power that is associated with corner outfield positions.[57] He is rated to have a smooth swing and a strong arm. As a pitcher, he has been clocked up to 93 miles per hour (150 km/h).[58]

Achievements and awards

Minor leagues
  • Florida State League All-Star, 2013[17]
  • The Cardinal Nation/Scout.com 2013 Top Prospect #12[17]
  • St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year, 2015[20]
College
  • Third-Team All-American (Utility player), 2012[2]
  • First-team All-Pac-10: 2011, 2012[17]
High school

Personal life

At Stanford, Piscotty majored in

2018 MLB draft.[60]

Piscotty and his wife, Carrie, married in 2019.[61] They reside in Danville, California. They welcomed their first child, a son, in April 2021.[62]

Piscotty owned a $1.4 million home in Creve Coeur, Missouri while playing for the Cardinals, but sold it after being traded.[63]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nick Piscotty". GoDuke.com. Duke Athletics. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Stephen Piscotty profile". GoStanford.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  3. ^ "Emotional ESPN Video Shows Why Stephen Piscotty Is So 'Grateful' For Cardinals Trade | KMOX-AM". Kmox.radio.com. May 7, 2018. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  4. San Jose Mercury News
    . Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c Traub, Todd (August 6, 2013). "Texas notes: Piscotty in good position". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Bonagura, Kyle (May 20, 2009). "Piscotty lives up to top billing for Amador Valley". InsideBayArea.com. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  7. ^ Goold, Derrick (June 15, 2012). "Cardinals and the draft pick cash game". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  8. ^ Bennett, Miles (June 2, 2011). "Piscotty, Ragira lead seven Cardinal baseball players on All-Pac-10 teams". The Stanford Daily. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  9. ^ Duca, Rob (August 18, 2011). "Piscotty narrowly wins batting crown". Yarmouth Register. Yarmouth, MA. p. 20.
  10. ^ "#21 Stephen Piscotty". pointstreak.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  11. San Jose Mercury News
    . Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  12. San Jose Mercury News
    . Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  13. ^ a b "Draft pick Stephen Piscotty signed a deal with the Cardinals". MLB.com. June 16, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  14. ^ von Horn, Steve (June 16, 2012). "Stephen Piscotty contract: Cardinals sign no. 36 pick for in 2012 MLB draft to $1.4 million bonus". SB Nation St. Louis. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  15. ^ Langosch, Jenifer (February 28, 2013). "Piscotty makes right field debut in 'B' contest". MLB.com. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  16. ^ "Stephen Piscotty minor league statistics & history". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  17. ^ a b c d "Stephen Piscotty profile". Scout.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  18. ^ Nagel, John (October 8, 2013). "Arizona Fall League preview". www.cardinalsfarm.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  19. ^ Goold, Derrick (November 19, 2013). "Piscotty soars among Cards' top prospects". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  20. ^ a b c d Berry, Adam (November 23, 2015). "Piscotty named Cards' Minor League POY". St. Louis Cardinals. MLB. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  21. ^ Lee Enterprises (July 20, 2015). "Cardinals to call up Piscotty". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  22. ^ Garno, Greg; Langosch, Jenifer (July 21, 2015). "Holliday's slam lifts Cardinals over White Sox". MLB.com. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  23. ^ Langosch, Jenifer; Cobb, David (July 25, 2015). "Cardinals strike late after Martínez-Miller duel". MLB.com. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  24. ^ Hager, Will (August 16, 2015). "Marlins avoid sweep with 6–4 win over Cards". Miami Sun-Times. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  25. ^ Hummel, Rick (August 17, 2015). "Cards snatch a win over Giants". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  26. San Diego Union-Tribune
    . Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  27. ^ Langosch, Jenifer; Macklin, Oliver (August 29, 2015). "Cards support strong Lynn in win over Giants". MLB.com. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  28. ^ "Cardinals OF Stephen Piscotty suffers bruised head in collision". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 29, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  29. ^ Goold, Derrick (September 29, 2015). "Piscotty hurt as Cards beat Pirates". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  30. ^ Goold, Derrick (October 9, 2015). "Lackey, Cardinals cool off Cubs". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  31. ^ Hochman, Benjamin (October 15, 2015). "Put Piscotty in No. 3 spot next year". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  32. ^ "Baseball awards voting for 2015". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  33. ^ Hummel, Rick (May 10, 2016). "Piscotty has more power but keeps his average up". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  34. ^ "Stephen Piscotty, Cardinals slam Max Scherzer, Nationals". USA Today. Associated Press. May 27, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  35. ^ Driver, David (May 28, 2016). "Stephen Piscotty powers St. Louis Cardinals over Washington Nationals". United Press International (UPI). Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  36. ^ "Stephen Piscotty MLB Split Stats". Rotowire.com. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  37. ^ "Piscotty signs six-year extension with Cards". MLB.com. April 3, 2017.
  38. ^ "Piscotty hit 3 times in 1 inning, exits game". MLB.com. April 4, 2017.
  39. ^ "Piscotty passes concussion protocol after painful inning". MLB.com. April 5, 2017.
  40. ^ "Piscotty leaves Cards for personal matter". MLB.com. May 26, 2017.
  41. ^ "Piscotty placed on DL, Sierra recalled". KSDK. July 15, 2017.
  42. ^ Lee, Jane (December 14, 2017). "A's, Cardinals complete deal for Piscotty". MLB.com. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  43. ^ "Gretchen Piscotty, mother of Oakland Athletics' Stephen Piscotty, dies at 55". ESPN. May 7, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  44. ^ Trezza, Joe (May 7, 2018). "Stephen Piscotty mourns loss of mother". MLB. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  45. ^ Snyder, Matt (May 16, 2018). "Stephen Piscotty hits emotional home run in first at-bat off bereavement list". CBSSports. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  46. ^ Smith, Christopher (December 14, 2018). "Stephen Piscotty, Athletics outfielder whose mother died of ALS, wins 2018 Tony Conigliaro Award". masslive.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  47. ^ "Player Batting Event Finder:All of MLB: 50 Home Runs in 2000-2021 – at SFG-PacBell Park, 123". Stathead Baseball. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  48. ^ "Stephen Piscotty has wrist surgery, out for season". August 27, 2021.
  49. ^ "Tipsheet: Once-promising Cardinals outfielder Piscotty fades onto waiver wire". August 17, 2022.
  50. ^ "Statcast Sprint Speed Leaderboard". baseballsavant.com.
  51. ^ "Reds, Stephen Piscotty Agree To Minor League Deal". August 23, 2022.
  52. ^ "Giants' Stephen Piscotty: Reaches deal with San Francisco". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  53. ^ "Stephen Piscotty: Parts ways with San Francisco". cbssports.com. March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  54. ^ "White Sox Sign Stephen Piscotty To Minor League Deal". April 22, 2023.
  55. ^ "Stephen Piscotty: Cut loose by White Sox". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  56. ^ "Athletics Sign Stephen Piscotty To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. February 14, 2024.
  57. Rotoworld
    .com. September 12, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  58. ^ a b "Stephen Piscotty Baseball Profile". Perfect Game USA. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  59. ^ Wickham, Pete (April 24, 2015). "Redbirds' Piscotty waits for power surge as homestand begins". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  60. ^ Martin Gallegos (June 7, 2018). "Austin Piscotty, Joe DeMers among local A's draft picks". Mercurynews.com. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  61. ^ "Weddings, whiskey, waiting for spring: How A's players spent the offseason". February 26, 2020.
  62. ^ "Instagram".
  63. ^ "News".

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