Cincinnati Reds continue to push Robert Stephenson to be an MLB starter

The Cincinnati Reds keep sending Robert Stephenson out to start despite the fact that he obviously isn’t ready.

The Cincinnati Reds keep sending Robert Stephenson out to pitch whether it is as a starter or a reliever.  He is only 24 years old, but the Reds are acting like Stephenson’s second chance is his last chance.  That is a disservice to both the team and the pitcher.

Looking back at Stephenson’s career prior to this season, it doesn’t make sense that he is pitching in the majors.  He just doesn’t appear ready.  His stats show a pitcher that hasn’t developed enough to have a major league roster spot.

His first two seasons in rookie ball and low-A, Stephenson averaged less than five innings and then 5 and a half per start.  During those seasons he averaged only one walk for every three innings pitched.  He also averaged more than one strikeout per inning.

Since then his walk rate has gone up. Every season since he made it to Double-A, Stephenson has averaged more than a walk for every two innings.  That adds 0.2 to his WHIP, just like that.

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Stephenson also saw his hit rate increase when he made it to Triple-A.  The 2015 season was the first time in his professional career to average a hit allowed per inning.  That means a batting average against of .250 for starters,

Despite numbers like that the Cincinnati Reds have forced Robert Stephenson to pitch most of the season in the big leagues.

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Stephenson has made 19 appearances, including five starts for the Reds this season.  He has an ERA of 5.81 and a WHIP of 1.75.  Stephenson also has a batting average against of .275.

Those are numbers of someone not hitting his target.  The talent is there, though.  He has 55 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings.

The problem is that Stephenson has walked 35 batters this year.  He has also allowed 57 hits, including 11 home runs.  The hits are not prohibitive, but the home runs are awfully high for someone with the talent of Stephenson.

Stephenson has actually regressed in some ways since last season.  At the big league level, his walk rate and batting average against have both gone up.  That means that he is less effective this season.

Stephenson is still only 24 years old.  He was a first round draft pick by the Reds in 2011 out of high school.  It is no wonder that he needs a little more time to develop.

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The Reds must make Stephenson earn his roster spot, instead of giving it to him ahead of more worthy options..  If he runs out of options, he must have a regular spot in the bullpen.  This idea of promoting because he should be good enough must end.