In some ways, Mahoning Valley Scrappers outfielder Josh Stevenson feels right at home in Ohio.

Last fall, the outdoor enthusiast was able to get into the woods near Columbus to enjoy a few days of hunting deer. More recently, Stevenson has been enjoying the fishing opportunities presented by the area’s lakes and rivers. He was excited to spend part of last Saturday at a local bass pro shop.

“I love hunting and fishing so I am in my element up here when I’m in the woods or by the water with a rod and reel,” Stevenson said.

Still, there are times when Stevenson feels, well, like a fish out of water.

For starters, Stevenson was born and bred in the heart of SEC country. He grew up in Youngsville, Louisiana, where he graduated from St. Thomas More High School. From there, he moved on to LSU, achieving a lifelong goal of playing for the Tigers.

In fact, Stevenson followed in the footsteps of older brother Andrew Stevenson, who was an All-American at LSU. Stevenson went on to play for the Washington Nationals and was part of the Nationals’ 2019 World Series championship team.

Then there is the weather factor.

Stevenson spent the past year in Ohio, where he experienced snow for the first time in his life.

“It was cold, I mean really cold,” Stevenson said. “People kept telling me that this was a very mild winter by Ohio standards. But I don’t know, it was pretty rough.”

Nevertheless, after two years at LSU, Stevenson found himself in the transfer portal, searching for better opportunities and more playing time. In the spring of 2023, shortly after his sophomore season, Stevenson transferred to Ohio State.

“Two years ago, if you would have told me that I’d be in Big Ten country, I never would have believed it,” Stevenson said. “Certainly my college career has taken some weird turns, but it’s all been for the best so far.”

This past spring with the Buckeyes, Stevenson appeared in all 56 games, including 52 starts in centerfield. He batted .265 with five home runs and 32 RBI.

Then, shortly after OSU head coach Bill Mosiello stepped down in early June, Stevenson again put himself in the transfer portal. He has yet to decide where he will spend his senior year of college.

“It’s crazy to say but I’m not a huge fan of the transfer portal, but it’s part of the game and sometimes you have to do what you have to do,” Stevenson said. “Right now college baseball is in a weird spot.”

In high school, Stevenson was a multi-sport athlete. He played on a pair of state championship football teams. Then, in the first game of his senior season, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Fortunately for Stevenson, he had several months to fully recover before the start of baseball season. The time away from the gridiron also gave him a new perspective on the sport he truly loves.

“For me it’s always been baseball,” Stevenson said. “I loved playing football, I love the other sports. But suffering that injury made me realize I didn’t want to continue getting my body banged up. Being away from football that last year in high school allowed me to move forward and go all in with baseball.”

In 15 games with the Scrappers, Stevenson owns a .304 batting average, twelfth-best in the MLB Draft League. He has one home run and 10 RBI.

“Playing here this summer is a great opportunity in so many ways,” Stevenson said. “I didn’t have the best year at Ohio State, so this is a chance to really sharpen my play against some really great pitching. And this league, with its ties to MLB, gives all of us players an opportunity to showcase ourselves in front of big league scouts. As summer baseball goes, this is as good as it gets for a lot of reasons.”

As for Stevenson’s stance as a college football fan?

Stevenson is presented with a scenario where LSU and Ohio State meet in a future national championship showdown.

There’s an extended pause before Stevenson displays a wry smile.

“Oh man, don’t put me on the spot like that. I really bought into the Buckeyes this year and I was all in, it was a crazy awesome atmosphere … but I’m going to have to go with the Tigers,” Stevenson said.

You can take the boy out of the bayou, but you can’t take the bayou out of the boy.

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