Michael Stefanic - Page 2 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Collects two hits in season debut Stefanic went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and an RBI in a loss to Kansas City on Saturday.

Impact Stefanic was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday after slashing .347/.446/.449 over 259 plate appearance with the minor-league club. He got the start at second base for the Angels on Saturday and was one of four players on the team with multiple hits, one of which was a sixth-inning double that resulted in his first big-league RBI. It remains to be seen how often Stefanic will play, and he struggled with a .197/.279/.230 slash line over 69 plate appearances in his first cup of coffee in the majors last season. However, he's a .318 career hitter in the minors (albeit with mediocre power and speed), so his bat could eventually help him carve out a role as an on-base specialist capable of playing multiple positions.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Triple-A Stefanic was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Stefanic is batting .347/.446/.449 with two homers and five stolen bases with Salt Lake this season. The utility player is capable of filling in all over the field but doesn't figure to play much for the Halos.

JUNE 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sporting season-long on-base streak Stefanic is slashing .331/.438/.416 through 42 games this season with Triple-A Salt Lake, and he's reached base in every contest in which he's played.

Impact Stefanic's on-base streak is actually at 51 extending back to last season, when he hit .314 with a .422 on-base percentage for the Triple-A club. The 27-year-old has proven to be a difficult out with a .401 career OBP across 364 career minor-league contests, though he struggled in his first taste of the majors last year, slashing .197/.279/.230 over 69 plate appearances. Stefanic's ability to reach base could earn him another chance in the big leagues at some point, but his absence of power and speed limit his appeal as a future fantasy asset.

MAY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to minors Stefanic was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Impact Stefanic got a modest look in his first taste of MLB action last season, logging 69 plate appearances over 25 games. However, he managed a meager .197/.279/.230 slash line, well off the .314/.422/.425 line he posted at the Triple-A level. Stefanic is an extreme contact hitter but offers little in the way of power or speed, so he doesn't figure to ever be an impactful fantasy asset. The Angels have multiple infielders returning from injury this season and also added Brandon Drury and Gio Urshela in the offseason, so Stefanic faces a difficult path back to the big leagues.

MARCH 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench again Stefanic is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Stefanic will sit for the third game in a row and appears to have lost out on an everyday role in the middle infield to fellow rookie Livan Soto. The 26-year-old rookie has gotten off to a disappointing start to his big-league career, producing a .459 OPS through his first 57 plate appearances with the Angels.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting after three straight starts Stefanic is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact He'll give way in the middle infield Monday to Livan Soto, who is being rewarded with a second straight start after going 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and an additional run in Sunday's 5-1. Stefanic had produced two hits in eight at-bats while starting in each of the previous three contests, and with David Fletcher (hand) recently joining Andrew Velazquez (knee) on the injured list, the rookie should have a fairly clear path to playing time over the final two and a half weeks of the season.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Garners third straight start Stefanic will start at second base and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Mariners, Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Impact The rookie finds himself in the lineup for a third straight contest and should have a fairly clear path to an everyday role in the middle infield after David Fletcher (hand) was placed on the injured list Saturday. Through his first 53 big-league plate appearances, Stefanic is hitting .191 with one extra-base hit (a double) and 4:10 BB:K.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Called up Wednesday Stefanic was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Impact Stefanic was sent to the minors in late July, and he missed a few games at the end of August due to back spasms. However, he's been back in action over the last few weeks and has slashed .484/.590/.871 with two home runs, a triple, four doubles, nine runs and nine RBI over nine games since the start of September. He should have a chance to carve out playing time for the Angels down the stretch after Andrew Velazquez (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to minors Stefanic was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Stefanic started off strong after making his big-league debut in early July with a .944 OPS in his first seven games, but the honeymoon ended quickly as he went hitless in his past nine contests. David Fletcher (hip) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move and will reclaim a starting role for the Angels. Stefanic could receive another chance with the Halos later in the year, but for now he'll attempt to straighten things out in the minors.

JULY 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Riding pine Monday Stefanic isn't in the lineup Monday against the Royals.

Impact Stefanic has gone just 0-for-4 with a strikeout since the All-Star break and will be held out of the lineup for the third time in the last four games. Luis Rengifo is shifting to second base while Andrew Velazquez starts at shortstop.

JULY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Sunday Stefanic is not in the starting lineup Sunday versus Atlanta.

Impact Stefanic will be on the bench for the second time in three games to start the second half of the season after he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Saturday's loss. Luis Rengifo will slide over to second base while Andrew Velazquez enters the lineup at shortstop and bats ninth in the series finale.

JULY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out of lineup Friday Stefanic isn't starting Friday's game against Atlanta.

Impact Stefanic started the last three games but went 0-for-12 with a walk and three strikeouts. Luis Rengifo is shifting to second base while Andrew Velazquez starts at shortstop.

JULY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Steps out of lineup Stefanic is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Impact Stefanic started the past six games and jumped up to the leadoff spot Tuesday, but he'll receive a day off after going 0-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. He's off to a strong start through eight big-league games with an .808 OPS.

JULY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leading off Tuesday Stefanic will play second base and lead off Tuesday against the Astros, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Impact Stefanic has not hit higher than sixth since making his big-league debut earlier this month, but he will get a shot atop the batting order after reaching base 10 times over his last five games.

JULY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches four times Sunday Stefanic went 2-for-2 with two walks and a run in Sunday's loss to Baltimore.

Impact Stefanic reached base in all four of his plate appearances in the loss, and he scored a run in the third inning on a Monte Harrison home run. Stefanic has only one extra-base hit (a double) in 22 plate appearances, but he's shown an astute ability to get on base with a .389 average and .500 OBP over 22 plate appearances. His major-league skill set has thus far proven to be in line with what he showed in the minors; over 210 plate appearances with Triple-A Salt Lake this season, the 26-year-old slashed .320/.410/.399 but had only 10 extra-base hits among his 57 total hits while posting a 25:12 BB:K.

JULY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

This Angel is proving all his doubters wrong This story was excerpted from Rhett Bollinger’s Angels Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it reg...

JULY 6, 2022 • MLB.COM

Heads to bench Tuesday Stefanic is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Marlins, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Stefanic will take a seat after he struck out in all three of his at-bats in his MLB debut in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Astros. Interim manager Phil Nevin suggested that Stefanic will receive an opportunity to play on a regular basis, but the rookie will still find himself on the bench for the series opener in Miami nonetheless. Luis Rengifo and Andrew Velazquez will serve as the Halos' starters in the middle infield Tuesday.

JULY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fans three times in MLB debut Stefanic went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in Sunday's loss to Houston.

Impact Stefanic was called up early Sunday and was immediately slotted into the starting lineup as the team's second baseman. The 26-year-old didn't have a memorable debut, however, as he struck out in all three of his plate appearances. Contact hasn't been a major issue for Stefanic in his minor-league career -- in fact, he fanned only 12 times over 178 plate appearances with Triple-A Salt Lake this season. He's slated to play on a near-everyday basis, and it's reasonable to expect Sunday's strikeout-filled performance to be more of an aberration than his norm moving forward.

JULY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Called up, starting Sunday Stefanic was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake and will start at second base Sunday against the Astros, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Impact The back half of the Angels' order has been disastrous, and Stefanic will be the latest to get an audition. Sunday's start will mark his major-league debut. Tyler Wade was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the roster for Stefanic, who is hitting .320 in the Pacific Coast League in 2022, albeit with only 10 extra-base hits (one home run) in 210 plate appearances. According to Sam Blum of The Athletic, interim manager Phil Nevin said the Angels plan to give Stefanic a look in an everyday role, so he could be worth a pickup in AL-only or deeper mixed leagues, particularly for fantasy managers looking for aid in the batting-average category.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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