Robert Stock

Robert Stock Bio

Robert Anthony Stock is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays in the New York Mets organization. Stock has appeared in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and New York Mets, and has also pitched professionally in South Korea with the Doosan Bears of the KBO League. He represented Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Stock began his professional career as a catcher after being selected in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, before transitioning to pitching where he developed a fastball that regularly exceeded 100 miles per hour.

Early Life and Background

Stock was born on November 21, 1989, in Bellevue, Washington, and grew up in Agoura Hills and Westlake Village, California. He was raised Jewish and attended temple and Hebrew school as a child. His parents are Gregg Stock, an engineer, and Randi Stock. Stock comes from a baseball family, with his brother Richard also pursuing a professional baseball career.

Stock demonstrated exceptional talent at a young age. As a 12-year-old, he threw an 80-mile-per-hour fastball, and in 2002, he pitched a no-hitter to lead Agoura to an 11-1 victory over Taiwan in the Pony Baseball Bronco League World Series championship game. Baseball America rated him as the best baseball player of his age in the country when he was 13 years old in 2003, and he repeated that ranking in 2004 and 2005. Stock played for the United States junior national baseball team in 2004 and 2005, becoming the team’s youngest player ever and serving as the number one pitcher.

Path to Professional Baseball

Stock attended Agoura High School in Agoura Hills, where he excelled as both a cleanup-hitting catcher and pitcher. During his sophomore season in 2003, he posted a .405 batting average with eight home runs and went 5-1 as a pitcher with a 2.85 earned run average, holding batters to a .190 average. As a junior in 2004, he batted .456 with six home runs and 25 runs batted in while throwing out 70 percent of would-be base stealers. He also reached 95 miles per hour on his fastball and was named Baseball America’s 2005 Youth Player of the Year at age 15, becoming the first high school underclassman to win the award. He graduated from Agoura High School a year early as an honor student with a 3.8 GPA and a 1410 SAT score.

Rather than entering the 2007 MLB Draft where some scouts projected him as a certain first-round selection, Stock enrolled at the University of Southern California at age 16 through its Resident Honors Program, becoming the first athlete in USC history to participate in that program. For three years with the USC Trojans baseball team, he played as both a catcher and pitcher, compiling a .263 career batting average while throwing out 33.8 percent of baserunners and posting an 8-7 record with a 3.38 ERA and nine saves on the mound. During the summers of 2007 and 2008, he played for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, earning All-Star honors both seasons as the youngest player in the league.

Robert Stock Career

Minor League Years and Position Change (2009-2017)

The St. Louis Cardinals selected Stock in the second round with the 67th overall selection of the 2009 MLB Draft, signing him for a $525,000 signing bonus. Baseball America rated him the 10th-best prospect in the Cardinals organization. He began his professional career as a catcher, playing in the Appalachian League where he batted .322 with seven home runs and earned Topps Short-Season/Rookie All-Star honors as a 19-year-old. He continued catching through 2011, batting .241 in 680 at-bats.

In 2012 with the Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits, Stock made his debut as a pitcher in 38 games, recording a 5-2 record and 4.56 ERA. The Cardinals transitioned Stock into a full-time pitcher in 2013. After struggling to secure another MLB opportunity, Stock signed with the New Jersey Jackals of the independent Can-Am League in 2016, where he set a league record by pitching 60 innings over 52 appearances with a 2.85 ERA. He later reflected that the independent league experience was one of the best times he had playing baseball despite its low position on the professional baseball ladder.

San Diego Padres and MLB Breakthrough (2018-2019)

Stock signed with the San Diego Padres organization in November 2017. During spring training, his fastball reached 100 miles per hour on several pitches. He began the 2018 season with the Double-A San Antonio Missions and received a midseason promotion to Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, posting a 1-0 record with nine saves and a 1.69 ERA in 32 relief appearances before his call-up.

The Padres promoted Stock to the major leagues on June 24, 2018, making his MLB debut nine years after being drafted as a catcher. In his rookie season, he went 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA in 32 relief appearances, striking out 38 batters in 39 and two-thirds innings. He threw 11 of the 12 fastest pitches by any San Diego pitcher that season, and he had the second-lowest swing rate for sliders in the entire MLB, behind only Aroldis Chapman.

In 2019, Stock’s season was cut short by a right biceps strain. He threw a fastball timed at 100.6 miles per hour in April, the second-fastest pitch in Padres history at that time, and later reached 102 miles per hour during the season. He regularly touched 100 miles per hour with his fastball while working with an 83-mile-per-hour slider and 85-mile-per-hour changeup.

MLB journeyman Years (2020-2021)

On July 26, 2020, the Boston Red Sox claimed Stock off waivers. He appeared in 10 games for Boston that season, compiling an 0-1 record with a 4.73 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 13 and one-third innings. In December 2020, the Chicago Cubs claimed him off waivers. Stock made his only MLB start of his career with the Cubs on June 16, 2021, but struggled with command issues and was designated for assignment shortly after.

The New York Mets claimed Stock off waivers on June 22, 2021, and he made three starts for the team, going 0-2 with an 8.00 ERA and nine strikeouts. His season ended when he suffered a right hamstring strain and was placed on the 60-day injured list on July 23.

International Play and Return to MLB (2022-2025)

In January 2022, Stock signed a one-year contract with the Doosan Bears of the KBO League in South Korea. He started 29 games for Doosan, posting a 9-10 record with a 3.60 ERA and 138 strikeouts in 165 innings pitched. After the season, he returned to the United States and pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers organization in 2023 before joining the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, where he threw a no-hitter against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on July 18.

In February 2024, Stock signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. In 19 starts, he posted a 9-4 record with a 3.38 ERA and 104 strikeouts, ranking second-most in the league. He then played for Naranjeros de Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific Winter League, where he went 10-2 with a 1.60 ERA, leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts to become the first Naranjeros pitcher to win the pitching Triple Crown.

Stock returned to the Boston Red Sox in January 2025, signing a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. After two scoreless appearances for Triple-A Worcester, Boston added him to the active roster on April 7. He appeared in games for Boston before being designated for assignment and sent outright to Worcester. The Red Sox added him back to the active roster in June before releasing him in August. On November 25, 2025, Stock signed a minor league contract to return to the New York Mets organization.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Stock features a high-velocity four-seam fastball that regularly reaches the high 90s and has touched 102 miles per hour. His secondary pitches include a slider in the low-to-mid 80s and a changeup. His ability to generate swings and misses, particularly with his slider, has been among the best in baseball, with one season ranking second only to Aroldis Chapman in swing rate on pitches in the strike zone. Stock has worked primarily as a reliever throughout his MLB career but has also shown the ability to start games, with experience as both a starter and closer during his college years at USC.

Notable Events and Milestones

Stock’s professional baseball journey represents a remarkable perseverance story. After being released by the Cardinals organization and spending time in independent baseball, he worked his way back to MLB, debuting nine years after being drafted. His 100-mile-per-hour fastball velocities have consistently ranked among the hardest-thrown pitches in the game. His no-hitter with Long Island Ducks and his Triple Crown season in the Mexican Pacific Winter League represent highlights of his international career.

Robert Stock Career Statistics

Stock has compiled professional statistics across multiple leagues in North America and Asia throughout his career.

MLB Career Highlights

In Major League Baseball, Stock has appeared in games for four franchises. His MLB statistics include a 2-4 win-loss record with a 4.90 earned run average and 77 strikeouts across his career. His most productive MLB season came in 2018 with the San Diego Padres, where he posted a 2.50 ERA in 32 relief appearances.

KBO and International Performance

Stock’s season with the Doosan Bears in the KBO League resulted in a 9-10 record with a 3.60 ERA and 138 strikeouts in 165 innings pitched. His strong performance in international leagues helped him earn opportunities to return to Major League Baseball.

Robert Stock Family

Family Background and Baseball Lineage

Stock comes from a baseball family in Southern California. His father, Gregg Stock, worked as an engineer while his mother, Randi Stock, supported his athletic pursuits. His brother Richard Stock also played professional baseball, making the sport a family affair. Stock grew up in a supportive household that fostered his exceptional athletic development from an early age.

Personal Life

Stock is married to Sara Stock, formerly Sara Krutewicz. The couple met on a blind date when Sara was on spring break in Palm Beach, Florida, while Stock was in the area for St. Louis Cardinals spring training activities. Stock has credited his family support throughout his journey through professional baseball, including challenging periods when he played in independent leagues and worked his way back to MLB.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked Stock’s return to the Boston Red Sox organization after his successful stint in Mexico. He signed a minor league contract with Boston in January and was added to the active roster in April following strong performances at the Triple-A level. Stock appeared in games for the Red Sox during the season, though he experienced the roster fluctuations typical of a relief pitcher. After being designated for assignment and sent outright to Worcester, he was recalled again in June before the Red Sox ultimately released him in August. His season demonstrated the competitive nature of MLB bullpen jobs and the importance of continued performance at the minor league level. Stock concluded the year by signing with the New York Mets organization in November, providing him with an opportunity to compete for a roster spot in 2026 spring training.