Sammy Stafura

Sammy Stafura was the Cincinnati Reds’ 2nd round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. The Cortlandt New York native was selected at pick 43 out of Walter Panas High School and signed for $2.4 million. Stafura’s parents both migrated from Slovakia at a young age, his father at 18 and his mother at 9. Sammy’s father is a big influence to him, saying “he came to America knowing no English and only a $100 bill.” “He found a way to become successful…I can do anything I can put my mind to.” Per yonkerstimes.com.

Sammy had an incredible senior season in 2023. He would have a batting average of .526 with 10 home runs, 37 RBIs and 27 stolen bases in 26 games. He would verbally commit to Clemson University and was named the New York Gatorade Player of the Year. Scouts loved the power and speed potential for Stafura as well as his plus arm defensively. Other teams, however, would shy away from taking Stafura based on the fact he played his high school ball in the North East. Cold weather states aren’t particularly a hot bed for top MLB prospects and players usually have a difficult time adjusting. The Reds overlooked that and took Sammy Stafura with the 43rd pick.

Stafura would be assigned to the ACL Reds rookie league team and play in 12 games in 2023. He would bat only .071/.190/.402 with an OBP of only .212. He would have 1 home run in those 12 games. He would also struggle adjusting defensively as he would have 5 errors in 11 games.

2024 has been a massive leap for Stafura. MLB Pipeline has him as the Reds number 14 ranked prospect currently. In 15 games in the ACL, Sammy would bat .345/.582/1.031 with 2 home runs, 17 RBI and 12 walks. The Reds would promote Stafura to Low A Daytona on May 26th. Stafura has played very well in Daytona up to this point. In 53 games, he is batting .264/.413/.793. He has 5 home runs, 30 RBI, 3 triples and 17 stolen bases. Stafura is also playing well defensively. In 410 innings he has a .960 fielding percentage.

Sammy Stafura is still only 19 years old, he turns 20 this November. If Stafura can end this season like he expects to, you just might see him promoted to High A Dayton to begin next season and could climb his way up the team’s top prospect list quickly. Stafura has a plus arm, plus speed, plays well at short stop and has power potential in his 6’0,180 pound frame. Time will tell with Sammy Stafura and his development towards becoming a big leaguer, his current MLB ETA is somewhere around 2027. I look forward to covering him as he continues his minor league journey with Cincinnati.

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Photo Credit; Minor League Baseball