Cincinnati Reds top prospect Robert Stephenson is coming off of a season where he saw some struggles. In 2014 he posted an ERA over 4.74 in Double-A Pensacola and had a high walk rate that will need to improve. Depending on where you read, you would hear things about how he became predictable in counts due to being overly reliant on his fastball or that he just struggled to throw his offspeed pitches for strikes.
Kelsie Heneghan has an article up on the Cincinnati Reds prospects at MiLB.com and one of the players that is focused on is Stephenson. This quote from Jeff Graupe could be big if it holds true for the right hander.
“I’m excited about some of the adjustments he’s made this Spring Training to set him up for more long-term success. His changeup has really improved this spring, and I think he’s primed for a pretty good season. The fact that he’s throwing his offspeed pitches for strikes and he’s progressed with his overall command, he’s really set up to go a little deeper in games.”
I’ve never been overly concerned about the control/command displayed in the 2014 season. Stephenson has shown the ability to throw the ball right where he wants it in the past. In 2013 when he was in Dayton he went through a very long period of time, several months, where he exhibited outstanding control and good command. Finding the adjustment to make to find that again was something that was likely just a matter of time, and according to Graupe, Stephenson may have found it.
The article also talks about how Jon Moscot may be one of the most Major League ready prospects in the system.
“Jon really competes and has four pitches he commands well and throws for a strike, and he’s probably one of the most Major League ready of our upper-level pitching prospects,” Graupe said
Heneghan predicts Taylor Sparks as the breakout prospect in the system and pegs Aristides Aquino as one to keep an eye on of the guys making their full-season debut in 2015.
There’s plenty of good information in the article on several of the Reds top prospects, so be sure to go give it a read. The minor league season is now just eight days away and the big league season gets started in less than a week.