Cal Stevenson, a former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder, is stepping into a new chapter with the Detroit Tigers, signing a minor-league contract to bolster their outfield depth. Assigned to the Toledo Mud Hens, the Tigers' Triple-A team, Stevenson is poised to make his mark in the American League.
At 28, Stevenson brings a wealth of experience from his time with the Phillies organization, where he was a standout at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. In 2024, he delivered a solid .302 average with eight home runs and 44 RBIs over 101 games. Although his major league appearances were limited to 23 games between 2024 and 2025, he managed a respectable .250 average with eight hits in 32 at-bats.
Phillies fans fondly recall the "Cal Stevenson game" against the New York Mets in 2024. On September 14, Stevenson was the hero, smashing a go-ahead two-run double in the seventh inning and making a spectacular leaping catch to rob J.D.
Martinez of a game-tying homer. His clutch performance was pivotal in securing a 6-4 victory and helped the Phillies clinch their first NL East title since 2011.
Despite a promising stint, Stevenson found himself back in Triple-A for the 2025 season and was released in August. Over his major league career, he's played 52 games across stints with the Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland Athletics. Originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018, Stevenson found his stride with the Athletics in 2022, appearing in a career-high 23 games.
Joining the Tigers, Stevenson will team up with fellow former Phillie Matt Vierling, adding depth to an outfield facing uncertainty as the 2026 season approaches. While there's no official word on a spring training invite, a strong showing in the minors could see Stevenson making an impact on the big stage once more.