Cincinnati Reds: Make-or-break season for these five players in 2020

Last year, was a make-or-break season for Robert Stephenson. Which five players on this year’s Cincinnati Reds roster face a similar situation?

Every year, there are a handful of players who enter spring training looking for one last chance to show that they’re capable of being a productive major league player. Last year, Robert Stephenson finally proved he could get the job done. Which five players on the Cincinnati Reds roster enter a make-or-break season in 2020?

Entering spring camp last season, Stephenson had a career-ERA of 5.47 and a WHIP of 1.673. The right-hander was a former first-round pick of the Reds back in 2011, and though Cincinnati had spent a high draft pick on Stephenson, it appeared as though his time in the organization was quickly coming to an end.

Stephenson was coming off a season that he’d just as soon forget. He’d 0-2 in 4 games with a 9.26 ERA and more walks (12) than strikeouts (11). But Stephenson proved all the doubters wrong and latched on with the club out of spring training. Stephenson went on to have the best season of his career, owning a 3.76 ERA and drastically reducing his walk-rate.

Last year was a make-or-break season for Stephenson. It was imperative that he showed the Reds front office and coaching staff that he had what it takes to be a big league pitcher. Stephenson will be heavily relied upon this season out of the Reds bullpen. Which five players entering the 2020 season have the chance to make-or-break their standing with the Reds?