The catcher who mastered the art of the 'eephus' pitch
In short: Garrett Stubbs isn't your typical powerhouse hitter; he is a defensive specialist whose value lies in precision. From mastering elite pop times to executing rare, slow-motion pitches that leave hitters stunned, his career illustrates how specialized skills can carve out a unique niche in professional sports.
Born in San Diego and raised in Del Mar, Stubbs developed his craft through unconventional means. His father organized a traveling team to provide development outside of Little League, while his step-grandfather arranged for him to practice technique with former MLB catcher Ed Herrmann. Despite being undersized at 5 feet 10 inches and 165 pounds during high school, he became a two-time All-California Interscholastic Federation honoree.
Stubbs reached the pinnacle of collegiate baseball at USC in 2015, winning the Johnny Bench Award as the nation's best catcher. He was selected by the Houston Astros in the eighth round of the draft and spent years navigating the minor leagues to refine his defensive reputation. Prior to his 2019 debut, he became known for rapid movement, achieving a velocity of 28.0 feet per second which ranked highest among American League catchers.
Since joining the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022, Stubbs has become a defensive standout known for elite 'pop times'—the time it takes to throw the ball to second base. In 2023, his pop time of 1.87 seconds tied for the second-best in all of MLB. He also showcased a unique versatility on September 20, 2022, when he threw four 'eephus' pitches—slow, arcing tosses designed to off-balance hitters—before following up with an 83.8 mph fastball for a strikeout.
His career highlights include being one of four Jewish MLB players in the 2021 World Series and winning the Heart and Hustle Award in 2023. While roster construction led to his optioning to Triple-A in early 2025, his ability to hit .371 against lefties at that level underscores his continued development as a specialized tool for any pitching staff.
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