Cincinnati Reds: Four players who should be promoted to the active roster

2. The Reds need to bring up their top hitting prospect.

It’s time. In fact, we’re well past time. The Cincinnati Reds need to call up Tyler Stephenson and keep him there. The rookie backstop made one appearance during his abbreviated stay earlier this season while Mike Moustakas was on the injured list. All Stephenson did was crank a ball over the wall in his first at-bat, slap a single to left field in his second trip to the plate and draw a walk.

This kid is ready for The Show. He’s been ready since spring training, and after already using one of his minor-league options, it’s time to let him earn his stripes at the big league level. Now, I’m not advocating for Stephenson to be the primary catcher, as I think that’s not a smart move. But, perhaps, Stephenson could take on the role of designated hitter.

Think about it. Stephenson would be in and around the clubhouse with Tucker Barnhart, Curt Casali and Kyle Farmer, learning everything he’ll ever need to know about donning the tools of ignorance. At the same time, Stephenson can put his best tool to work, his bat.

Tyler Stephenson is a hit-first catcher. He shined last season for Double-A Chattanooga and really showed off during the Arizona Fall League. Furthermore, Stephenson was one of the best bats in Goodyear before the coronavirus pandemic shutdown spring training. He’s got to be a better option at DH than Josh VanMeter, right?