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The Seattle Mariners add an elite bat behind the plate by drafting Luke Stevenson

The UNC baseball star is set to join an American League West squad to begin his professional baseball career.
ByNick Delahanty|
Jun 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina catcher Luke Stevenson (44) celebrates towards the dugout during the third inning of the Super Regionals game against Arizona in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
Jun 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina catcher Luke Stevenson (44) celebrates towards the dugout during the third inning of the Super Regionals game against Arizona in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Cal Raleigh has been making a ton of headlines as the current catcher of the Seattle Mariners, as he currently leads the league in home runs at the All-Star Break.

Did the Mariners organization just draft their next great catcher? We believe they did!

The Mariners selected Stevenson with the No. 35 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. He will now begin his path to the big leagues competing for an American League West squad, one that hopes to develop its roster into a perennial postseason club for years to come.

Stevenson has been an impact player for the UNC baseball program since he stepped foot in Chapel Hill, serving as a two-year starter behind the dish. The left-handed hitting backstop wasted no time doing damage in the Diamond Heels lineup, as his freshman season earned him D1Baseball and Perfect Game Freshman All-American first team accolades.

After hitting .284 with 14 home runs during his first season as a Tar Heel, Stevenson brought even more power during his sophomore season. He smashed 19 home runs (the most by a UNC catcher since Chris Ianetta hit 15 during the 2004 season) while drawing 59 walks, as he was a consistent on-base presence and a player that opposing pitchers didn't want to face. He became the first Carolina catcher to earn All-American honors by Perfect Game since 2004, and went on to be the ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player.

Not only did Stevenson produce at the plate, but he was very good behind the dish as well. You could see the progression of his defensive skills, proving to be excellent at managing the Tar Heels pitching staff, one of the best that the country had to offer this past season.

Stevenson threw out 35% of his attempted base stealers this season and earned a spot as a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

The Seattle Mariners are getting an elite two-way backstop, one who could certainly rise up the organization ranks rather quickly. Not only is he a tremendous baseball player, but he is also a fantastic leader and teammate; the fans of the Mariners organization are sure to love having him around.

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