Pitching Change Has Been Stephenson’s Ticket

Brian Stephenson’s pitching career is rolling these days. He’s certainly proven he can play in Peoria.

Stephenson, a second-round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs in June, is tearing up the Midwest League with Peoria. He has a 3-0 record and 2.23 earned-run average in five starts.

Not bad for a guy whose pitching career began with a little white lie.

Stephenson, who played at Fullerton High School, is the son of Dodger scout Jerry Stephenson, who played for the Seattle Pilots, Boston Red Sox and Dodgers. When dad was looking for a summer league team for his son in 1992, he called old friend and former teammate Bill Sudakis, who was running a team in Fullerton.

Stephenson was a catcher at UC Santa Barbara. Sudakis had a catcher. Stephenson had played shortstop at Fullerton. Sudakis had three shortstops.

So the conversation went something like, “So what do you need old pal.”

Pitching.

“My dad said, ‘Oh, Brian, he’s a pitcher,’ ” Stephenson said. “It took off from there.”

Indeed, Stephenson, an unwanted shortstop from Fullerton, has certainly benefited from the change. Just check out the Midwest League these days.

After a brief, somewhat rocky stint in Williamsport, Stephenson was shipped to Peoria, a Class-A team. He came out and struck out the side in his first start.

Stephenson went seven shutout innings, striking out seven, that night.

“That was a relief,” Stephenson said. “I had been on a pitch-count in Williamsport, so it was hard to get a rhythm. I was getting a little worried, but it all worked out.”

It always seems to with Stephenson.

He decided to walk on at Santa Barbara as a catcher. Stephenson was told he would have to redshirt in 1992, which meant he could suit up for games.

So to stay active, he volunteered to pitch batting practice.

“I was making people look bad, so my dad started thinking maybe I should be a pitcher,” Stephenson said.

Of course, Jerry Stephenson’s dad is paid to evaluate talent, even when he’s related to the player. The phone call to Sudakis just cinched it.

Stephenson returned to Santa Barbara as a pitcher. He developed into a closer, going 5-4 with four saves. But not everything was so bright in his new career.

Santa Barbara began hedging on a scholarship promise, according to Stephenson. He went looking for another school. UCLA was more than happy to take him in.

Not being on scholarship paid off. Stephenson had only to secure a release from Santa Barbara and then was immediately eligible.

He became the Bruins’ No. 1 starter. His numbers weren’t great, 5-5 with a 4.09 ERA, but his stuff was impressive.

“It’s really strange how it all worked out,” Stephenson said. “I couldn’t have hoped for more.”

*

So what sort of conversation dominates the Stephenson household?

Come on.

Like his father, Stephenson’s grandfather is a former major leaguer. Joe Stephenson was an infielder for the New York Giants, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox.

“It’s weird, but our entire family revolves around baseball,” Brian Stephenson said. “That’s all we talk about during dinner.

“I call them after every start. They always have advice for me.”

*

Playing for an independent team has its advantages. There’s diversity, for one thing.

Paul O’Hearn, who was not drafted after going 9-1 for North Alabama, is now the ace of the staff for the Ogden Raptors, who are chasing Helena in the Southern Division of the Pioneer League.

O’Hearn is 7-4 with a 3.15 ERA. One would think they would be taking very good care of him.

Nope.

O’Hearn, who hasn’t played in the field since Saddleback High School in 1988, has been pressed into service as a reserve outfielder.

“We had some players quit, so our manager got the pitchers together and looked us over,” O’Hearn said. “He came to me and said, ‘You’re now a backup right fielder.’ Before each game, he tells me to keep my cleats on. I usually wear turf shoes when I’m not pitching.”

O’Hearn doesn’t mind the extra duty.

“No, I love it,” O’Hearn said. “I get to take batting practice. Now that’s fun.”

So far, O’Hearn’s fielding skills haven’t been tested.