The Reds selected college right-hander Ben Lively in the 4th round of the 2013 draft. Lively quickly signed just over slot value for $367,900, and headed to rookie ball in Billings.
The 21-year old started his first game on June 24th against Missoula. Lively only allowed one hit in 3 innings of work while walking only one and striking out 6. In his next start on June 30th, Lively was just as impressive as he once again went 3 innings. This time Great Falls managed two hits, one walk, and struck out 7 times. On the month, Lively posted a 0.00 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP in 6 innings with 2 walks and 13 strikeouts.
Lively would start the month of July with a rematch against Missoula on the 5th. This time, Missoula was able to score 3 unearned runs off of 4 hits in 3 innings and he only managed two strikeouts but did not issue a walk. The loss would be the first decision of his season. On July 11th, he would get back on track against Grand Junction with a hitless 3 inning showing that added a walk and 3 more strikeouts to his season totals. Grand Junction would see Lively once again on the 17th and this time they would produce 3 hits over 3.1 innings with one walk and 3 strikeouts. Next on the slate was Orem on the 22nd of July. For only the second time, Lively would give up an unearned in 3 innings which saw 3 hits, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. On the 27th, in his final start of July, he once again threw 3 scoreless innings with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. For the month, Lively made 5 starts with 15.1 innings of work and produced a 0.00 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP. He walked 6 and struck out 13 batters.
In August, Lively would start the month with 2 losses against Great Falls. On the 2nd of the month, he would go 3 innings, give up his first earned run of the season on 3 hits, issue 2 walks, and strike out 2 batters. Then, on the 8th, he would once again go 3 innings but give up 2 earned runs with 4 hits, a walk, and strike out 5. In the next two starts, Lively would throw 7 perfect innings. On the 13th, Idaho Falls would strike out 5 times in 4 innings. Ogden would also strike out 5 times but in 3 innings on the 18th. In his last start in Billings, he would post 3 scoreless innings against Ogden and allow a hit and walk and strike out 6 batters. On August 31st, Lively would get sent up to Dayton to make a start. He would go 4 innings in a loss against South Bend allowing 2 runs, one of which was earned, 2 hits, a walk, and tie a season best 7 strikeouts. In the final month of the season, Lively had a 1.80 ERA with a 0.75 WHIP in 20 innings through 6 starts. He tallied 5 walks and 30 strikeouts.
Season Stats
| Team | W | L | ERA | IP | H | HR | BB | K | WHIP | K/BB |
| Billings | 0 | 3 | 0.72 | 37.1 | 21 | 0 | 12 | 49 | 0.88 | 4.1 |
| Dayton | 0 | 1 | 2.25 | 4.0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0.75 | 7.0 |
Overall Thoughts
Ben Lively had one of the better debuts in recent memory from a draftee with his 2013 campaign. He posted a low ERA, solid walk numbers and outstanding strikeout numbers. Due to a long college season his workload was limited each time he took the mound, so he will have to adjust back to longer workloads next season. His stuff showed up a bit better than advertised coming out of the draft as well. He could be a quick mover next year if he picks up where he left off in 2013.
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