IP | 18.2 |
---|---|
ERA | 3.38 |
WHIP | 1.39 |
BB/9 | 3.38 |
SO/9 | 7.71 |
- Full name Stephen J. Kolek
- Born 04/18/1997 in Houston, TX
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Texas A&M
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Drafted in the 11th round (344th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018 (signed for $125,000).
View Draft Report
The brother of Marlins 2015 first-round pick Tyler Kolek, Stephen's fastball has never matched Tyler's triple digit radar gun readings, but he'd shown the potential to have three average or better pitches and average control coming into the 2018 season. But his 91-94 mph fastball has backed up this season. There have been outings where he's dipped to pitching in the high 80s. Kolek's slider gives him a chance to survive even with less arm speed. The pitch has less bite at lower velocities and has been more fringe-average than above-average this year. His changeup also has taken a step back this year and he mixes in a get-me-over curveball early in counts. Kolek has shown the ability to be a No. 4 starter at his best, but scouts have only seen that in glimpses this year. His 5-6, 4.58 season isn't making a strong draft case, but there's still something there.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
Track Record: The brother of former Marlins first round pick Tyler Kolek, Stephen, while not as hyped as an amateur, has enjoyed a successful professional career. Drafted by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2018 draft, Kolek was traded to the Mariners in a minor league trade in April of 2021. The Mariners moved Kolek to the bullpen before 2023 where he enjoyed a solid season across Double-A and Triple-A. The Padres selected Kolek in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft.
Scouting Report: A relief only prospect with five different pitch shapes, Kolek isn’t the type of reliever that blows away the competition with elite stuff. Instead he generates consistent weak contact against his trio of primary pitches. Kolek mixes a mid-90s sinker with a low-90s cutter and a mid-80s sweeper. Kolek will also mix in a four-seam fastball and a changeup but they are rarely used in lieu of his primary mix. Kolek shows the ability to drive ground balls at a high rate while using his sweeper to miss bats in two strike counts. Kolek shows fringe-average command of his arsenal but throws enough strikes.
The Future: Already seeing consistent time out of the pen for the Padres, Kolek is a middle relief arm now.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55. CT: 45 | Changeup: 30 | Control: 45.
Draft Prospects
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The brother of Marlins 2015 first-round pick Tyler Kolek, Stephen's fastball has never matched Tyler's triple digit radar gun readings, but he'd shown the potential to have three average or better pitches and average control coming into the 2018 season. But his 91-94 mph fastball has backed up this season. There have been outings where he's dipped to pitching in the high 80s. Kolek's slider gives him a chance to survive even with less arm speed. The pitch has less bite at lower velocities and has been more fringe-average than above-average this year. His changeup also has taken a step back this year and he mixes in a get-me-over curveball early in counts. Kolek has shown the ability to be a No. 4 starter at his best, but scouts have only seen that in glimpses this year. His 5-6, 4.58 season isn't making a strong draft case, but there's still something there. -
Tyler Kolek's little brother can't match Tyler's massive size or his triple-digit fastball, but he has pretty impressive stuff of his own. The younger Kolek sits at 88-92 mph and will touch 94 at his best. There may be some more in there as the 6-foot-3, 225 pound baby-faced Tyler isn't as physically mature as his brother was at the same age. His delivery involves some effort and could use some cleaning up and his breaking ball is fringy at best, so he probably will get a chance to add strength and refinement at Texas A&M.