Reds’ Robert Stephenson extends scoreless streak, tinkering with delivery in Triple-A
Cincinnati’s Robert Stephenson kept his Triple-A ERA spotless with five shutout innings.
Robert Stephenson is no stranger to Louisville, Kentucky.
On Friday night, the former Cincinnati Reds’ first-round pick stepped onto the mound at Louisville Slugger Field for the 21st time in his career.
But, something was different. Or, at least for the first two innings.
“The first couple innings I tried going over my head [with the wind-up],” said Stephenson. “I really wanted it to work and tried it in the bullpen the other day. I went out today and did it and didn’t really get in the groove.
“In the third inning, I stopped doing it. I felt like I got a little more locked in there.”
Stephenson, optioned by the Reds on May 30, threw five shutout innings for Triple-A Louisville, extending his consecutive scoreless inning streak to nine. He allowed just one hit while recording six strikeouts and walking five.
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Louisville pitching coach Jeff Fassero was satisfied with how Stephenson finished — retiring nine of ten batters and issuing no walks.
“I want to see him throw like the last three innings all the time,” said Fassero. “We are working on controlling the fastball, trying to clean up his delivery a bit and getting him to slow down some.”
Stephenson began the season with the Reds for a second consecutive year. Unlike the entirety of his career, however, the California native was used out of the bullpen. In 13 relief appearances, he was 0-2 with an 8.03 ERA.
“The thing I’m happy about being back here is the fact that I’m able to start,” Stephenson said. “I’ve been doing it my whole life. I think it’s a good move for me to be able to get some more innings and do something I’m more comfortable doing.”
Prior to demotion, the most pitches Stephenson had thrown was 59 on April 9. Therefore, the 24-year old is currently on a pitch count, having increased from 63 pitches to 83 most recently.
“The pitch count has been slowly climbing up. Maybe two or three [starts] more and I can get up to a normal starter’s pitch count of 110 or so.”
As Stephenson eyes longer outings, Fassero is focused on another aspect.
“We need him to stay on the rubber more,” said the former MLB pitcher of 16 seasons. “He has plenty of momentum going to home plate [but] it’s a little too quick. We are just trying to get him more rhythm over the rubber.”
Despite Stephenson’s scoreless streak, the Reds have given no indication when the right-hander might return to the “Queen City.” Regardless, the 6’2″ hurler understands what will earn a promotion.
“Being able to throw more consistent strikes and really working [on] my fastball command. I think once I get that, it’s going to be pretty smooth sailing.
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“Depending on what they need, they could bring me back up as a reliever,” Stephenson said. “In my mind, I want to go back up as a starter and get another opportunity there. I just want to do everything I can do here to put myself back in a position to be back up there soon.”