Top Reds prospect Robert Stephenson makes AAA debut

Reds top prospect Robert Stephenson made his debut at Triple-A Louisville on Friday. He went five innings and allowed two runs on four hits. He struck out six and walked three.

Stephens, 22, was 4-7 with a 3.68 ERA in 14 starts at Double-A Pensacola this season. He's rated the team's top prospect by both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. MLB Pipeline has Stephenson ranked the No. 18 overall prospect in baseball.

"Organizationally, we feel Robert is ready for the next challenge," said Jeff Graupe, the Reds director of player development.

The Bats completed Thursday's suspended game Friday. Left-hander Tony Cingrani made his first rehab appearance for the Bats since going on the disabled list last month with a left shoulder injury. Cingrani went two innings. He did not allow a hit. He walked one and struck out three.

The Bats and Columbus Clippers played three innings before suspension of play on Thursday. Stephenson started Friday's regularly scheduled game.

"He got off to a slower start," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He kind of found himself at that Double-A level. It was a real challenge for him last year and to start the 2015 season. We're excited that he's throwing the ball consistently. He's getting his curveball over, which was something he was challenged to do earlier in the year. He's got kind of split-changeup that he's incorporated into his mix. It gives him a quality third pitch."

Stephenson joined Kyle Waldrop, who was also recently promoted from Double-A to Triple-A.

Waldrop will be in Cincinnati next weekend for the Futures game, along with left-hander Amir Garrett and Louisville teammate Yorman Rodriguez.

Waldrop hit .277/.313/.430 with six home runs and 31 RBI in 67 games in Pensacola.

"I found my swing and I'm sticking to it, keeping it simple," Waldrop said recently. "It's been working the last couple of years, so I'm going to stick to it now that I'm in Triple-A, not change a thing. Keep it simple."

The Reds have also recently promoted right-hander Barrett Astin from high-A Daytona to Double-A Pensacola. Astin was 4-3 with a 2.29 ERA in 16 games and 11 starts for the Tortugas. He received a no-decision in his Double-A debut on Monday in Pensacola, allowing two runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. Astin, 23, was acquired from the Brewers last season in the trade that sent Jonathan Broxton to Milwaukee.

Outfielder Brian O'Grady was promoted from low-A Dayton to high-A Daytona at the same time. After hitting .271/.385/.450 with six home runs and 36 RBI in 71 games for the Dragons, he was moved up to Daytona, where he's played four games through Thursday.

In other minor-league moves, outfielder Juan Duran has returned to Double-A Pensacola after missing the first half of the season with a left wrist injury. He has had hits in each of his first two games back with the Blue Wahoos.

Also making his way back from injury is right-hander Jonathon Crawford, who was sidelined with a right shoulder injury for most of the season. Crawford pitched one inning for the Arizona Reds team on Monday and the Reds hope to get him to a full-season affiliate soon. Players coming off of injury often rehab at the team's complex in Arizona and play games in the Arizona League before moving on to full-season leagues. Crawford, a former first-round pick by the Tigers, was acquired in the deal that sent Alfredo Simon to Detroit.