Reds manager Bryan Price said the team will "look hard" at Stephenson for a rotation spot this spring, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
The soon-to-be 23-year-old has shown a continued ability to miss bats in the upper levels of the minor leagues, including 51 punchouts in 55.2 innings over 11 starts at Triple-A Louisville last season. Control continues to be Stephenson's bugaboo, and the hard-throwing right-hander remains a candidate to shift into the bullpen for a late-inning role if he is unable to scale back on the free passes in the near future. Given the Reds' current rebuilding situation, it makes sense to continue developing him as a starter for the time being.