Jacob Stallings

Jacob Daniel Stallings

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 5", Weight 225 lb.
• School University of North Carolina
• High School Brentwood Academy
• Debut June 19, 2016

• Born December 22, 1989 in Lawrence, KS USA

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Biographical Information

Jacob Stallings' father, Kevin, has been head basketball coach at Illinois State University, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Pittsburgh. His father became head coach of the Pitt Panthers the same year Jacob was called up to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates for the first time, in 2016. He was called up after injuries decimated the catching corps, laying aside starter Francisco Cervelli, backup Chris Stewart and catching prospect Elias Diaz; Stallings joined mid-season pick-up Erik Kratz as the catchers on the Pirates. On September 23rd, he was the last man left on the Pirates' bench in the 11th inning of a game against the Washington Nationals when he came up with a big hit. The Bucs loaded the bases against Yusmeiro Petit when he was called upon to bat for Wade LeBlanc with two outs, and he grounded a pitch into left field for a 6-5 win.

On August 8, 2018, playing for the Indianapolis Indians of the International League, he hit his first triple since 2015 to complete a cycle in the 8th inning. It came just three batters after teammate Kevin Newman had completed his own cycle with a homer, a rare instance of two teammates accomplishing the feat in the same game. The Indians defeated the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 12-5, thanks to the two's performance.

On July 17, 2021, he hit a walk-off grand slam off Edwin Diaz with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, to give the Pirates a 9-7 win. The Pirates scored all of their runs in the final two innings in what was a remarkable comeback win. He batted .236 in 112 games as the Pirates' main catcher that season, with 8 homers and 53 RBIs. His OPS+ was 92, but this was compensated by outstanding defence as he won the Gold Glove awarded to the best defensive catcher in the National League at the end of the season. On November 29th, however, he was traded to the Miami Marlins in return for three players: RhP Zach Thompson and minor leaguers Kyle Nicholas and Connor Scott.

Notable Achievements

• NL Gold Glove Winner (2021)

Further Reading

• Nicole Auerbach: "Kevin Stallings rises early to enjoy son's MLB debut with Pirates", USA Today Sports, June 21, 2016. [1]
• Christina De Nicola: "Marlins trade for Gold Glove catcher Stallings", mlb.com, November 29, 2021. [2]

Related Sites

• Jacob Stallings on mlb.com
• University of North Carolina bio