Cincinnati Reds 2015 1st round pick Tyler Stephenson has been activated by the Dayton Dragons for tonight’s double header in Dayton after missing time with a concussion. Looking at the weather, I’d be surprised if they got the games in, but stranger things have happened. The lineup for game one is out and Stephenson isn’t in it, but he’s the only other catcher on the roster as he replaced Jose Duarte when activated, so if the games are played expect him to suit up in game two.
Tyler Stephenson last played on April 24th, going 1-3 with an RBI against West Michigan. The catcher has only played in 13 games this season with the Dragons and has struggled in the small sample size. He’s hitting just .136 on the season and has two doubles. In 50 plate appearances he has five walks and 11 strikeouts, a solid combination, but the hits simply haven’t fallen in and found the grass. His batting average on balls in play is sitting at .182 thus far (as a comparison, it was .338 in 2015 with the Billings Mustangs).
Behind the plate he’s had struggles controlling the run game. He’s thrown out just one of 21 attempted base stealers (4.7%). At the lower levels that can sometimes be on the pitchers, but Mitch Trees has tossed out 35% of attempted base stealers and teams have been much less reluctant to try and run against him than they have against Stephenson (less attempts in seven more games).
The tools are there for Stephenson, both behind the plate and at the plate, but it’s been a struggle in the early parts of 2016 for the 1st rounder. Hopefully the return to the lineup will get things moving in the right direction on both fronts. The Dayton offense could certainly use a boost, as they currently rank dead last in both on-base percentage and slugging percentage in the 16-team Midwest League, and a full 20 points being the next worst team in OPS (and .208 points worse than the team leading the league).