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Michael Stefanic

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Michael Stefanic
Free agent
Infielder
Born: (1996-02-24) February 24, 1996 (age 28)
Boise, Idaho, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 3, 2022, for the Los Angeles Angels
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.245
Home runs0
Runs batted in11
Teams

Michael James Stefanic (/stɛˈfɑːnɪk/ steh-FAH-nik;[1] born February 24, 1996) is an American professional baseball infielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels. He made his MLB debut in 2022. He attended Westmont College and signed with the Angels as an undrafted free agent.

Amateur career

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Stefanic attended Timberline High School in Boise, Idaho and played college baseball at Westmont College. During all four of his seasons with Westmont, he was selected to both the Golden State Athletic Conference's All-GSAC team and the GSAC Gold Glove team. In his sophomore, junior, and senior years, he led the team in batting average at .352, .371, and .392 respectively. In his senior season, he received an honorable mention for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics's All-American team as a second baseman. He graduated from Westmont in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in economics and business.[2]

Professional career

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After submitting for the 2018 Major League Baseball draft but going undrafted, Stefanic compiled a résumé and highlight compilation and sent it to 150–200 executives from all 30 MLB teams. Stefanic signed with the Los Angeles Angels as a free agent on July 19, 2018, after being contacted by Angels coach Chris Mosch, who was seeking a replacement for an injured player on the Arizona Complex League Angels team.[3][4] He spent his first professional season in the Arizona League and with the Orem Owlz, batting .351 over 14 games. Stefanic spent 2019 with the Burlington Bees and Inland Empire 66ers, batting .282 with three home runs and 47 runs batted in (RBI) over 102 games.[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] He started 2021 with the Rocket City Trash Pandas before being promoted to the Salt Lake Bees. Over 125 games between the two teams, he batted .336 with 17 home runs, 63 RBI, and 26 doubles.[7]

On July 2, 2022, Stefanic was promoted to the majors for the first time, joining the Angels during their road series against the Houston Astros.[8] He made his major league debut the next day, batting sixth and playing second base against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. He recorded his first major league hit on July 5, a pinch-hit single in the 9th inning off of Miami Marlins pitcher Tanner Scott at loanDepot Park. He subsequently scored his first major league run on a sacrifice fly from Taylor Ward.[9] Through his first seven games, Stefanic batted .389 with an on-base percentage of .500, causing Angels manager Phil Nevin to promote him to the leadoff spot in the lineup on July 12.[10] On July 28, Stefanic was optioned to Salt Lake.[11] On September 14, he was recalled to the Angels.[12]

Stefanic was optioned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees to start the 2023 season.[13] In 25 games for the Angels, he batted .290/.380/.355 with no home runs and six RBI.

Stefanic began the 2024 season after suffering a strained left quadricep in spring training.[14] On April 30, he was transferred to the 60–day injured list.[15] Stefanic was activated from the injured list on May 29, and was subsequently optioned to Triple–A Salt Lake.[16] In 40 games for the Angels, he slashed .218/.301/.255 with eight RBI. On October 24, Stefanic was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Salt Lake.[17] On November 6, he elected free agency.[18]

References

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  1. ^ Fletcher, Jeff. "Michael Stefanic hopes improved defense will win him a spot with Angels," Orange County Register (Irvine, CA), Monday, March 7, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  2. ^ "Michael Stefanic - Baseball". Westmont College Athletics. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  3. ^ "Westmont's Michael Stefanic Signs with the Angels". July 19, 2018.
  4. ^ DiGiovanna, Mike (March 11, 2022). "Consistent contact propels unheralded Michael Stefanic to the cusp of Angels roster". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  5. ^ "Bees' Stefanic adds to hot start - Sports - the Hawk Eye Newspaper - Burlington, IA". Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  6. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  7. ^ "Michael Stefanic Resembles a Past Angels Prospect". October 31, 2021.
  8. ^ Fletcher, Jeff (July 2, 2022). "Michael Stefanic expected to join Angels". Orange County Register. Southern California News Group. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  9. ^ Trust, Jay; Armstrong, Zack (July 7, 2022). "Boise native Michael Stefanic gets first MLB hit". KTVB. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  10. ^ Hoornstra, J. P. (July 12, 2022). "Angels reward Michael Stefanic for hot start with leadoff duties". The San Bernardino Sun. Southern California News Group. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  11. ^ "Angels' Michael Stefanic: Returns to minors". CBSSports.com. Paramount Global. RotoWire. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  12. ^ "Michael Stefanic Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  13. ^ "Angels' Michael Stefanic: Optioned to minors". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  14. ^ "Angels' Michael Stefanic: Lands on 10-day IL". cbssports.com. April 30, 2024.
  15. ^ "Angels Select Amir Garrett". mlbtraderumors.com. April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  16. ^ "Angels Transfer Jose Cisnero To 60-Day IL". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  17. ^ "Angels Outright Six Players". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  18. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2024). "Minor League Free Agents 2024". Baseball America. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
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