Jason Stephens and Randall Taylor Share League Co-Pitcher of the Week Honor - SAL

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - CHARLESTON- Charleston RiverDogs pitcher Jason Stephens has been named the South Atlantic League co-Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced Monday.  Stephens shares the honor with Asheville closer Randall Taylor.

The Tallmadge, Ohio native enjoyed a career-night on May 30 against the Hickory Crawdads Joseph P.Riley, Jr. Park, tossing seven shutout innings allowing six hits with no walks and a career-high 12 strikeouts in a 5-0 RiverDogs triumph. 

That punchout total not only marked a Charleston season-high, but is also the most strikeouts by a RiverDogs hurler since Chris Flinn fanned 14 batters on July 12, 2002 versus Columbus.

Your Ad Here

In 2006, Stephens’ first stint in the Lowcountry started tremendously well, as he recorded a 4-1 record and a 1.80 ERA in six starts.  However, his season was cut short when he underwent Tommy John surgery in June, effectively shutting him down for over a full season. 

The 6’5” right-hander returned with the short-season Class-A Staten Island Yankees of the New York-Penn League (NYP) in 2007, picking right up where he left off with a 4-1 mark and a 1.88 ERA in nine appearances (six starts).  Now in his sixth professional season, Stephens appears to be pitching as well as he has throughout his entire career.

Stephens is the first RiverDog to receive a weekly league honor since former first baseman Kevin Smith earned SAL Batter of the Week laurels in July 2007.

A former 6th round draft selection by the Yankees in 2003, Stephens’ next start is scheduled for June 4th, when the RiverDogs battle the Rome Braves at Riley Park for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch.