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University of North Carolina catcher Luke Stevenson

Luke Stevenson will not divulge the secret about the peanut butter in those sandwiches he devours during games. Whatever it is, the University of North Carolina catcher could be riding it all the way to Philadelphia. 

According to multiple mock drafts , the Phillies are eyeing Stevenson with their first-round pick , No. 26 overall, in next month’s MLB Draft. In a few years, Stevenson may need to have his favorite sandwich spread delivered to a Philadelphia address. 

Considered by many to be the best all-around catcher in the 2025 draft, Stevenson gained fame during the ACC Tournament, as he was named the Most Valuable Player for leading the Tar Heels to the title. But it was not just his on-field heroics that caught attention.  

Potential First Round Draft Pick Luke Stevenson Reportedly Eats 1,500 PB&Js a Year

During North Carolina’s 14-4 win over Clemson in the championship game May 25, TV cameras caught Stevenson chowing down on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the dugout. In a post-game interview , Stevenson would not deny the reports that he has made and eaten as many as 1,500 sandwiches in a year. 

“I’m gonna get made fun of for this,” Stevenson chuckled. 

“Every three at-bats, I like to have a PB&J. It’s kind like my reset. So if I have three at-bats, good or bad, I like to have a peanut butter and jelly.” 

Whatever works, and for Stevenson, it works. 

Just Baseball’s latest mock draft says that Stevenson “checks all the boxes of your prototypical college catching prospect.” USA Today’s praises the athletic Stevenson as “a pure catcher,” and Baseball America touts Stevenson as “a much better bet” to provide offense over other potential first round catchers. 

In his two seasons at North Carolina, Stevenson slashed .267/.417/.543, with 33 home runs and 116 RBIs in 125 games. But it’s Stevenson’s defense that has been his calling card since high school, and in 2025, he earned recognition to match , as he was one of just three Division I catchers to be named a finalist for the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award.  

A draft-eligible sophomore who turns 21 in July, Stevenson could be major league ready in a few seasons. Which seems right about when the Phillies will be looking for their next long-term catcher. 

Luke Stevenson Could Be MLB-Ready as J.T. Realmuto Nears Retirement

J.T. Realmuto , who turned 34 in March, is in the final season of five-year, $115.5 million contract. Injuries have spurred a decline in production over the past few seasons from the player once considered the best offensive catcher in the league. 

A long-time All-Star, Realmuto certainly holds value for the Phillies in terms of his defensive play and leadership, and MLB insiders anticipate he will likely resign with Philadelphia for a few seasons. 

The Phillies do not have a viable full-time replacement for Realmuto ready to go in the upper levels of their farm system. Eduardo Tait is the team’s No. 4 prospect , but he is an 18-year-old international free agent who is playing his first season at Single-A Clearwater. The next catchers among Philadelphia’s top 30 prospects are 19-year-old Alirio Ferrebus (No. 26), also with Clearwater, and Caleb Ricketts (No. 29), a 25-year-old currently hitting .286 at Double-A Reading. 

Stevenson, a defensive stalwart with a bat that’s steadily climbed draft boards all spring, could be the next man up behind the plate in red pinstripes. 

The Phillies aren’t likely to rush Realmuto out the door. MLB insider Jayson Stark suggested during an appearance on 97.5 The Fantastic in Philadelphia that Realmuto could resign with the Phillies for two-years, $25 million, keeping him through 2027. 

But a replacement plan has to be in place, and Stevenson could potentially be that person for a long time. 

Dave Benson Dave Benson is a longtime writer with over three decades of experience in a variety of mediums, including 15 years covering high school, collegiate and minor league sports in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Dave is also a licensed English teacher and spent a few years teaching at the middle school level. More about Dave Benson