Seattle Catching Prospect Luke Stevenson Doesn’t Mind the Cal Raleigh Comp

Luke Stevenson was quoted earlier this month when I wrote about how Ryan Sloan and Kade Anderson profile as Seattle Aces in the Making. My spring training conversation with the 21-year-old backstop also included what he had to say about his own skill set, which in many respects it is similar to what Cal Raleigh’s was in the minors. Stevenson’s FanGraphs scouting report, which included mention of the Mariners’ All-Star slugger, described him as “a power-hitting catcher with strong receiving skills.” Drafted 35th overall last year out of the University of North Carolina, he currently ranks as the eighth-best prospect in the Seattle system, with a 45 FV.

Brendan Gawlowski did the write-ups on our Mariners list, and he sees the potential for more from Stevenson. As Brendan put it, “If there is any jump in Stevenson’s throwing ability or bat-to-ball as he develops, he’ll climb into that [50] tier on subsequent lists.” The Raleigh comparison fits here, as well. Described as having a “power-and-OBP-over-hit profile,” Big Dumper ranked seventh in the system with a 45 FV when he reached the majors in July 2021 at age 24.

Stevenson didn’t shy away from the comp when I brought up their early-career similarities.

“I would love to get compared to him,” said the former Tar Heel, who debuted professionally with Low-A Modesto last summer and slashed .280/.460/.400 over 100 plate appearances “He’s unbelievable. Being able to work with him here in camp has been awesome, and super helpful. What he does… I mean, I definitely would like my game to resemble his.”

My mention of the power-over-hit element of his profile elicited a bit of pushback, but his response was largely a validation of Brendan’s report.

“My power is definitely a strong tool, but I also think I’m able to hit,” Stevenson said. “I’m going to do what the game tells me to do — if there is a runner on second, I’ll want to move him over — but I’m out there to drive in runs, whether that’s leaving the ballpark or hitting a double. I’m trying to hit the ball in the air and do as much damage as I can. My goal is to hit the ball hard and be consistent on the barrel. I need to play to my strengths, play to my power.”

As for the OBP component of their skill sets, Raleigh hasn’t exactly morphed into Mickey Cochrane, although he did log a career-best .359 last year. Eric Longenhagen saw that potential back in March 2020, when he wrote that Raleigh had an approach that enabled him to “reach base at an above-average clip.”

Stevenson has shown an ability to do just that, and his mindset is part of the reason why.

“The thing I probably take the most pride in is my ability to control the strike zone,” said Stevenson, who had a 23% walk rate to go with his hefty .460 OBP in the Cal League, and before that a 20.3% walk rate and a .414 OBP in his final season at UNC. “As hitters, that’s something we’re able to control: the decisions we make in the box.”

The lefty-swinger won’t continue to put up those kinds of numbers as he climbs the ladder to baseball’s highest level — Cochrane he’s not — but he won’t need to if he supplies anything akin to Raleigh’s pre-2025 power output (30 home runs and a .457 slugging percentage annually). Ditto the defensive quality. What he does behind the dish matters, and to his credit, he understands the priorities of his position.

“As a catcher, you have to be there for your pitchers,” Stevenson explained. “Whether you are 4-for-4 or 0-for-4, you’re back there catching nine innings, doing everything you can to get them through the game. Regardless of how I’m doing at the plate, I have to separate the two and be consistent defensively.”

In Brendan’s view, receiving stands out as one of Stevenson’s strengths, while controlling the running game — “Cal Raleigh wasn’t very good at this when he was drafted, either” — presents as a relative weakness. Asked if he feels that any one aspect of his defense is most in need of improvement, Stevenson shook his head.

“No, I’m trying to clean up everything,” he told me. “There are always a bunch of things you can improve upon. You never stop trying to get better. I’m building every single day. Brick by brick, I’m trying to get better.”