Brock Stassi


Brock James Stassi is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 33rd round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft out of University of Nevada, Reno, Stassi made his Major League Baseball debut for the club on April 3, 2017.

Early life

From Northern California, he attended Barry Elementary School after which he attended Yuba City High School as his father was the baseball coach.

Career

Amateur

In 2009, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League. Stassi was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 2010, but decided to stay at school.
Stassi was a two-way player in his final three years at University of Nevada, Reno. In 2010, Stassi was named the Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year and also earned second-team All-WAC utility honors. He hit 360 with 19 doubles, driving in 34 runs and scoring 29 times in 55 games for the Nevada Wolf Pack, earning First Team All-WAC honors as a first baseman during his senior season.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies selected Stassi in the 33rd round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of University of Nevada, Reno. Stassi debuted with the Williamsport Crosscutters in 2011, playing for them in parts of two seasons before joining the Lakewood BlueClaws, Clearwater Threshers and Reading Fightin Phils.
His breakout season came with the Class AA Fightin Phils in 2015, when he posted a.300/.394/.470 with 15 home runs and 90 RBI in 133 games, helping lead Reading to first place in the Eastern League Division standings while earning an All-Star berth. Besides, Stassi led the league in RBI and doubles, ending second in total bases and walks, third in on OBP and runs scored, fifth in hits, and sixth in home runs. In addition to his offensive contributions, Stassi led Eastern League first baseman with a.995 fielding percentage, making five errors in 112 games. At the end of the season, he was selected as the winner of the 2015 Eastern League Most Valuable Player Award.
In 2016, playing for the Class AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the International League, he hit.267/.369/.437.
Stassi made the Phillies' Opening Day roster in 2017. He made his major league debut on Opening Day. He was designated for assignment on August 31, 2017, to make room for newly-acquired Juan Nicasio on the 40-man roster. Stassi elected free agency on November 6, 2017.

Minnesota Twins

On December 8, 2017, Stassi signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. He was released from the organization on May 25, 2018.

New Britain Bees

On June 21, 2018, Stassi signed with the New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

San Francisco Giants

On August 10, 2018, Stassi's contract was purchased by the San Francisco Giants. Following the 2018 season, he re-signed to a minor league deal on November 9. He became a free agent following the 2019 season.

Oakland Athletics

On February 23, 2020, Stassi signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics. Stassi was released by the A’s in March prior to the beginning of the season.

Long Island Ducks

On April 10, 2020, Stassi signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Personal life

Stassi's father, grandfather, and great-grandfather played as catchers in the minor leagues. His younger brother, Max Stassi, is a catcher who debuted with the Houston Astros in 2013.
Brock and Max Stassi hold an annual charity event that began in 2009 in their hometown of Yuba City, California; the money collected goes to 12 food banks within a 50-mile radius of Yuba City and Hands of Hope, a charity that offers support to homeless children and their families. The event consists of a home run derby between the brothers at the Yuba City High School field. In 2014, the event was expanded to include a home run derby with one player from each of eight local high schools, taking donations based on the number of homers hit, as well as accepting flat-rate donations.