RELATED: Trade market limited for Cozart
Stephenson, 24, remained in the minors until Friday when he returned to Great American Ball Park. He will start a 7:10 p.m. Saturday game against the Miami Marlins.
“I feel really good about the progress I’ve made the last couple months,” Stephenson said. “I feel I’ve maybe made more progress these months than I have in the last few years as far as my command and control in the zone. I wanted to go down there and throw strikes. I feel I’ve done a really good job of that lately.”
Stephenson made his big-league debut in 2016, posting a 6.08 ERA in eight starts. This season, the Reds put him in the bullpen. He had an 8.03 ERA in 13 relief appearances. He returned to the starting rotation in Louisville and was 1-2 with a 3.79 ERA in seven starts. He also made one relief appearance.
RANKING DEBUTS: Top rookie starts by Reds in last three seasons
Stephenson walked 5.8 batters per nine innings with the Reds. In Triple-A, he walked 2.9 per nine innings.
“He’s been a performer down there,” Price said. “He’s done what we asked, and that’s pound the zone. We also asked him to really work on his slider, which he has done. He’s thrown it very effectively.”
If he shows any improvement, Stephenson should get an extended chance in the second half. The last-place Reds (40-55) don’t have anything to lose with a starting rotation that sports the worst ERA in baseball (6.19).
BASEBALL QUIZ: Guess these former superstars?
Other young pitchers in Louisville could get another look. Cody Reed is 3-5 with a 3.61 ERA in 13 starts. Amir Garett has continued to struggle with the Bats. He’s 1-1 with a 5.76 ERA in five starts. Tyler Mahle, who started the season in Double-A, is 2-3 with a 3.00 ERA in five starts.
“We have to learn about these guys,” Price said. “We’ve had a rough start to the second half. We have a lot of questions to answer about our club, in particular with our pitching and where we’re going. Those questions will go unanswered if we don’t give some of these young guys an opportunity to pitch.
“We certainly want to see improvement with each opportunity, to see a better presence and more confident and the ability to make better pitches. So I’m looking forward to seeing Robert pitch.”
SATURDAY’S GAME
Marlins at Reds, 7:10 p.m., FS Ohio, 700, 1410
About the Author
