Stephenson, Stripling to make first career MLB start
Robert Stephenson and Ross Stripling are poised to make their first career MLB starts this week for the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively.
After a strong Spring Training, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that rookie Ross Stripling would secure the fifth spot in the starting rotation, beating out Carlos Frias and Mike Bolsinger for the role. In addition to Ross Stripling, rookie Robert Stephenson is poised to make his first career MLB start this week; however, the Cincinnati Reds have already stated that he would return to the minor leagues following his spot start.
Next: MLB Rookies on Opening Day Rosters
While Robert Stephenson looked set to break camp with the Cincinnati Reds, he ended up being re-assigned to minor league camp, but the Reds called him up after setting the original 25-man roster. Robert Stephenson and Ross Stripling entered Spring Training with different expectations, and throughout spring, the duo of rookie pitchers, essentially, swapped roles along the way.
Robert Stephenson was basically a lock to break camp with the Cincinnati Reds this season, but a poor Spring Training (almost) derailed the start to his season. However, the Reds believe in Robert Stephenson’s abilities, and with Anthony DeSclafani and Homer Bailey on the shelf, Stephenson’s time to showcase his talents has come. Robert Stephenson will start Thursday in the series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies.
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With the Phillies having one of the worst teams in baseball, the matchup gives Robert Stephenson a chance to get a taste of MLB action, but the Reds do not want to feed Stephenson to the wolves. Thus, the Reds will send Stephenson back down to Triple-A to work on his craft and command. Very few prospects have the type of stuff that Robert Stephenson possesses, but his control is holding him back from reaching that potential. For now, pencil Stephenson in for one start, but if he excels, anything goes.
In addition to Stephenson, Ross Stripling is expected to make his first MLB start Friday (4/8) against the San Francisco Giants. Ross Stripling managed to put together a strong enough Spring Training to give him the inside track to the fifth spot in the starting rotation.
“This is what we see in the near term as far as Ross taking the ball every fifth day.” – Dave Roberts
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not state how locked in Ross Stripling was to the fifth spot in the rotation. After striking out a batter per inning during Spring Training, Ross Stripling possesses swing-and-miss stuff; however, he was exceptionally susceptible to the long ball, giving up three home runs in just 11 innings of work this spring.
For now, Ross Stripling possesses more upside than Robert Stephenson in the short-term, but if the Cincinnati Reds give Stephenson an extended look at any time during the season, he could be one of the better MLB rookie pitchers in 2016. Stephenson needs to work on his command, and Ross Stripling needs to work on keeping the ball in the park. But, if both improve on the weaknesses, they should be commendable arms for their respective teams.
Next: MLB Rookies on Opening Day Rosters
Ross Stripling is expected to start against the San Francisco Giants on April 8th, and Robert Stephenson will take the mound against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 7th. Keep an eye out for these rookies going into their first MLB start.