27th Overall: Cincinnati Reds Select RHP Robert Stephenson

The Cincinnati Reds  selected Robert Stephenson with the 27th pick in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft. The 18 year-old, right-handed pitcher attended Alhambra HS in California last season. He stands 6’2″ tall and weighs 185 pounds. Stephenson was not featured as a first round selection by Wally Fish in the S2S Mock Draft. Baseball America ranked Stephenson as the 25th-best prospect in the 2011 first-year player draft.

THE NUMBERS:

In 13 regular season appearances for Alhambra High School, Stephenson went 7-2 with a 1.33 ERA in 64 innings of work. He scattered just 29 hits and racked up 132 strikeouts while surrendering just 23 walks. He was named the San Jose Mercury News’ Gatorade California Baseball Player of the Year. Stephenson is perhaps best known for opening the 2011 season with back-to-back no hitters.

THE DELIVERY:

Stephenson features a violent delivery that has many scouts concerned. Beyond that, the mechanics are repeated on a regular basis with coordination, balance and online landings.

THE REPERTOIRE:

Stephenson features a plus fastball that sits regularly between 92-95 MPH. On occasion he his fastball has hit as high as 97 MPH. Stephenson also features a plus 12-6 curve that sits between 77-80 MPH. His arsenal is rounded out by a mediocre change-up that is considered a work in progress.

WHAT THEY SAY:

ESPNs Keith Law

He’s raw, pushing him below some other more advanced prep arms in the class, but has top-10 upside with the potential to pitch with a front-line fastball and two average or better off-speed pitches.

Baseball Americas Dave Perkin

Several scouts voiced concern over Stephenson’s near maximum effort delivery. His stuff, however, is of high quality.A projectable 6-foot-2, 185-pounder, Stephenson relies heavily on his 90-92 mph fastball, which peaks near 94. That pitch shows late jumping life as it reaches the strike zone. Stephenson adds a 77 curve and 74 change, both of which show promise but need to be sharpened.

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