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Ocean City's Kolya Stephenson makes lasting impression on Phillies, becoming final pick of MLB draft
[June 09, 2011]

Ocean City's Kolya Stephenson makes lasting impression on Phillies, becoming final pick of MLB draft


Jun 09, 2011 (The Press of Atlantic City - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Exactly 1,529 names had been called in the Major League Baseball amateur draft as the end of the 50th round approached Wednesday.

With the very last pick, 1,530th overall, the Philadelphia Phillies selected Ocean City High School senior Kolya Stephenson.

"It's unreal," Stephenson said in a phone interview Wednesday night. "Just amazing." Stephenson was a pitcher for Ocean City, earning three varsity letters. He had a 6-1 record during his junior year and went 5-4 this season.



He was hanging out with friends after school Wednesday when he heard the surprising news.

"I was actually swimming in my pool and my mom came running out with the phone and said I got drafted," Stephenson said. "I was like, 'Wait, what?' Then I got on the phone and it was (Phillies assistant director of scouting) Rob Holiday. He said congratulations, and I was just thrilled." Stephenson said the first person he called was his father, Dan, who is the Phillies' manager of video production. The elder Stephenson did not know about his son being drafted until after it was announced.


"I talked to him right after I heard the news," Kolya Stephenson said. "He was so proud of me. It was a great moment." Ocean City coach Craig Mensinger said an assistant coach texted him to break the news, and he was thrilled.

"I thought it was great," Mensinger said. "I knew a Phillies scout came and looked at him before one game. They were pleased with his mechanics, composure and poise." Stephenson, who has committed to attend Alvernia University in Reading, Pa., in the fall, did not say whether he plans to sign with the Phillies or go to college.

Mensinger said Stephenson is also a well-rounded hitter. He hit six home runs and more than 40 RBIs over the past two seasons.

"I often told him he was putting all his marbles in one basket with being a pitcher, because he's an unbelievable hitter," Mensinger said. "He hits the ball out of the park, can drive it to all fields and is a natural hitter. But pitching is what he loves to do." That passion has helped Stephenson develop into one of the area's best pitchers, Mensinger said.

"When he's on, he's very, very good," Mensinger said. "He pounds the strike zone, and when his curveball is working, he's very dominating." Stephenson said he loves the feeling of being on the mound.

"I love to pitch," Stephenson said. "It's the best part of the game. I love being in control." Stephenson was recognized on MLB.com as the 13th recipient of the "Don't Count Him Out" award, given to the last player selected in the draft.

MLB.com reporter Spencer Fordin contacted him for an article on the website.

"That's amazing that they wrote that," Stephenson said. "I went to the (website's draft) tracker, and it said I was the last person picked, and I thought, 'Man, this is awesome. My name's right there.' It's an awesome feeling." Stephenson said he probably will go out with his parents later in the week to celebrate, but Wednesday night he was trying to let the news settle in.

"What a day," Stephenson said.

Contact Jeff Sporer: 609-272-7210 [email protected] To see more of The Press of Atlantic City, go to http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/. Copyright (c) 2011, The Press of Atlantic City, Pleasantville, N.J. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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