Robert Stock Bio
Robert Anthony Stock is an American professional baseball pitcher in the New York Mets organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs, and in the KBO League for the Doosan Bears. He also represented the Israeli national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The St. Louis Cardinals selected Stock in the second round of the 2009 MLB draft as a catcher, and he later transitioned into a pitcher before reaching the majors in 2018.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 260 pounds, Stock throws right-handed and bats left-handed. Across MLB, the KBO, and several independent and international leagues, he has built a career defined by a powerful fastball and steady reinvention through position changes and frequent team moves.
Robert Stock Early Life and Background
Early Life and Background
Robert Anthony Stock was born on November 21, 1989, in Bellevue, Washington, and grew up in Agoura Hills and Westlake Village, California. He is Jewish and attended temple and Hebrew school during his upbringing. His parents are Gregg Stock, an engineer, and Randi Stock, and he has two brothers, Richard and Jacob, and two sisters, Sasha and Sabina. His brother Richard also played professional baseball.
Stock showed advanced ability on the mound from a young age. As a 12-year-old, he was already throwing an 80-mile-per-hour fastball. In 2002, he pitched a no-hitter to lead Agoura to an 11–1 victory over Taiwan in the Pony Baseball Bronco League World Series championship game. Baseball America rated him the best baseball player of his age in the country in 2003, 2004, and 2005, and he played for the United States junior national baseball team in 2004 and 2005, becoming the youngest player ever to appear for that squad.
Path to Baseball
Stock attended Agoura High School, where he starred as both a cleanup-hitting catcher and a pitcher. As a sophomore in 2003, he batted .405 with eight home runs and went 5–1 with a 2.85 ERA on the mound. His fastball eventually reached 95 miles per hour, and as a high schooler he was named Baseball America’s 2005 Youth Player of the Year, becoming the first underclassman to win that award.
Rather than enter the 2007 MLB draft, Stock enrolled a year early at the University of Southern California through the Resident Honors Program, becoming the first athlete in USC history to participate in the program. He played college baseball for the USC Trojans as a catcher and pitcher, posting a .263 career batting average, an 8–7 record as a pitcher, and nine saves. In the summers of 2007 and 2008, he pitched for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, earning All-Star honors both seasons.
Robert Stock Career
Early Career (2009–2014)
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Stock in the second round of the 2009 MLB draft as a catcher, and he signed for a $525,000 bonus. He opened his professional career with the Johnson City Cardinals, batting .322/.386/.550 with seven home runs and earning Appalachian League All-Star recognition. Baseball America later ranked him the 10th-best prospect in the Cardinals organization.
He played as a catcher through 2011 before St. Louis began transitioning him into a full-time pitcher in 2013. Across 2013 and 2014, he pitched in the low minors for Peoria, Palm Beach, and Quad Cities, posting a 2–3 record and 4.12 ERA in 2014. The Cardinals released him on December 20, 2014.
Independent and Minor League Years (2015–2017)
After a brief minor league deal with the Houston Astros in spring 2015, Stock signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, pitching primarily for the Bradenton Marauders before electing free agency. In 2016, he joined the New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am League, where he went 1–2 with a 2.85 ERA across 52 appearances, a league record for games pitched.
On March 21, 2017, Stock signed with the Cincinnati Reds organization. Between High-A Daytona and Double-A Pensacola, he went 9–5 with a 2.82 ERA in 70 innings over 41 games. He elected free agency after the 2017 season, and on November 27, 2017, the San Diego Padres signed him to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
San Diego Padres (2018–2019)
Stock made his Major League debut on June 24, 2018, nine years after being drafted as a catcher, and he posted a 1–1 record with a 2.50 ERA in 32 relief appearances. He struck out 38 batters in 39⅔ innings, and 11 of the 12 fastest pitches thrown by San Diego pitchers that year came from his arm. In 2019, his season was shortened by a right biceps strain, but he still averaged 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings, and his fastball was recorded at 102 miles per hour.
Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs (2020–2021)
Stock was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox in July 2020 and appeared in 10 relief games, going 0–1 with a 4.73 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 13⅓ innings. After being designated for assignment, he was claimed by the Chicago Cubs in December 2020. He appeared in one game for the Cubs in 2021 before being designated for assignment again in February 2021.
New York Mets First Stint (2021)
On June 22, 2021, the New York Mets claimed Stock off waivers and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse. He made three starts for the Mets, going 0–2 with an 8.00 ERA, before a right hamstring strain ended his season and he elected free agency on October 29, 2021.
Doosan Bears (2022)
On January 4, 2022, Stock signed a one-year, $500,000 contract with the Doosan Bears of the KBO League. He started 29 games, going 9–10 with a 3.60 ERA and 138 strikeouts in 165 innings, and became a free agent after the season.
Milwaukee Brewers and Long Island Ducks (2023)
Stock signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers in January 2023 and pitched for Triple-A Nashville before being released. On June 16, 2023, he signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, where he went 9–4 with a 4.40 ERA in 16 starts and threw a no-hitter against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on July 18.
Mexico and Winter Ball (2024–2025)
On February 13, 2024, Stock signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League, going 9–4 with a 3.38 ERA and 104 strikeouts across 98⅔ innings. He finished fifth in Mexican League pitcher-of-the-year voting. That winter, he starred for Naranjeros de Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific Winter League, going 10–2 with a 1.60 ERA and becoming the first Naranjeros pitcher to win the pitching Triple Crown.
Boston Red Sox Return (2025)
On January 14, 2025, Stock signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox, was added to the roster on April 7, and tossed two innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. He was designated for assignment the next day, added back to the roster on June 7, and released by the Red Sox organization on August 11, 2025.
New York Mets Return (2025–Present)
On November 25, 2025, Stock signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets, returning to the organization where he first appeared in 2021.
Notable Events and Milestones
Stock’s career has been defined by resilience and a top-of-the-scale fastball. He reached 102 miles per hour in 2019 with the Padres, pitched for Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, and became the first Naranjeros de Hermosillo pitcher to win the Mexican Pacific Winter League pitching Triple Crown in 2024-25.
Robert Stock Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Stock’s father, Gregg Stock, is an engineer, and his mother is Randi Stock. He has two brothers, Richard and Jacob, and two sisters, Sasha and Sabina. His brother Richard also played professional baseball, giving the family a strong athletic foundation.
Personal Life
Stock is married to Sara Stock, whom he met on a blind date while she was on spring break in Palm Beach during Cardinals spring training. The couple has been together since his early professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Stock opened 2025 by signing a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox in January and was added to the active roster on April 7, pitching two innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. He was designated for assignment the next day, sent to Triple-A Worcester, and recalled again on June 7 before being designated for assignment once more following an appearance against the New York Yankees.
He was released by the Red Sox organization on August 11, 2025, and returned to free agency. On November 25, 2025, he signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets, rejoining the franchise where he had previously appeared in 2021.
Heading into 2026, Stock’s focus shifts to re-establishing himself in the Mets system following a turbulent but active 2025 campaign. With Triple-A Worcester behind him and veteran experience across MLB, the KBO, and international leagues, he remains a depth option for New York’s pitching staff.