San Diego Padres: Robert Stock Finally Gets The Call

Before their Sunday afternoon game against the San Francisco Giants, the San Diego Padres made a number of roster transactions.

Robert Stock is finally a major league baseball player. The San Diego Padres announced that they are promoting the 28-year-old relief pitcher to join the team in San Francisco.

Stock has one of the best stories in baseball and is proof that, if you’re a baseball player, someone is always watching you. Originally selected in the second round of the 2009 draft out of the Universtiy of Southern California, Stock played catcher through his first three years in the league.

After posting a .322/.386/.550 slash line with seven home runs in the rookie-level Appalachian League, Stock’s career failed to take him past High-A. He was converted to a pitcher before the 2012 season, remaining in A-ball before making a few rough Double-A appearances in 2015.

Stock found himself out of pro-baseball in 2016, playing for the New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am Independent League. He appeared in 52 games for the Jackals, striking out 73 in hitters in 60 innings of work. With a little help from a Youtube video of him throwing 98 mph into a net, teams began to take notice, again.

After rejoining the MiLB ranks with the Cincinnati Reds organization, he would eventually find his way to San Diego, joining the Padres this past offseason.

Stock was the darling of spring training this March, striking out nine hitters in 8.1 innings of work and lighting up the radar gun with his ability to crack 100 mph. He began the 2018 season with the Double-A San Antonio Missions, where he worked nine innings, giving up just two earned runs and striking out 15.

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He ended the month of April with a promotion to the El Paso Chihuahuas, making his first appearance at the AAA level since being drafted in 2009. Over 23 innings, Stock posted a 1.93 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a .177 opponent’s batting average. He also posted a 24/10 K/BB ratio.

San Diego Padres on the move.

As reported by the Padres, Stock will be joining Kazuhisa Makita in the San Diego bullpen today. Catcher Austin Hedges will also make his return to the big leagues. He has not appeared with the Padres since April 30th.

To make room for the trio, catcher Raffy Lopez and relief pitcher Phil Maton were sent to El Paso. Starting pitcher Jordan Lyles has been placed on the 10-day disabled list, after feeling discomfort in his elbow before yesterday’s start.

Next: Trading For Maikel Franco Is Unnecessary

Welcome to the big leagues, Robert Stock!