Bats Add Top Prospect Stephenson from Double-A, Cingrani on Rehab

July 3, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Cincinnati Reds' top prospect according to MLB Pipeline, RHP Robert Stephenson, will join the Louisville Bats on Friday and is expected to make his Triple-A debut Friday night at Louisville Slugger Field. Also joining the Bats is Reds LHP Tony Cingrani on a Major League rehab assignment.

Cingrani is expected to start the resumption of Thursday night's suspended game against the Columbus Clippers, set to resume at 5 p.m. Stephenson is expected to start the regularly scheduled game to begin 30 minutes after the completion of Thursday's game. The regularly scheduled game is set to be a seven-inning contest.

Stephenson, 22, went 4-7 with a 3.68 ERA in 14 starts while averaging 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings at Double-A Pensacola to start the season. He posted a 2.53 ERA in five June starts. The Reds selected the Martinez, Calif. native 27th overall in the June 2011 draft. His fastball and curveball are regarded as the best of any Reds minor leaguer. He was a Southern League All-Star both this season and last season with Pensacola and pitched in the MLB All-Star Futures Game last summer in Minneapolis. Following the 2013 season, the Reds named him their Minor League Pitcher of the Year. MLB Pipeline currently ranks him as the No. 18 overall prospect in Major League Baseball.

Cingrani has been on the Reds' disabled list since June 14 with a strained left shoulder. He posted a 3.47 ERA in 24 appearances with the Reds this season before his injury. The former Rice Owl debuted with the Reds in 2012, appearing in three games, before starting the 2013 season with the Bats. He posted a 3-0 record with a 1.15 ERA in six starts with the Bats, including six hitless innings with 14 strikeouts in the Bats' 2013 Opening Night game. He has made 63 career appearances with Cincinnati.

Friday, the Bats play host to Columbus, the top affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, before travelling to Indianapolis to begin a six-game split series at Victory Field with the Indians, the Pittsburgh Pirates' top affiliate. The Bats' annual July 3 Fireworks Extravaganza will follow the games Friday evening. Gates open at 4:45 p.m. and will be accompanied by a Bats cap giveaway.

The Bats have averaged 8,912 fans per game at Louisville Slugger Field since its opening in 2000 and have totaled over 9.4 million fans through 15 seasons. Tickets for all regular season games are available. The entire 2015 Bats schedule, including updated promotions and special events, can be found at batsbaseball.com. Single-game tickets may be purchased online, by calling 1-855-228-8497 or by visiting the Louisville Slugger Field box office. Full and partial season tickets, along with group outings and suite rentals are available by calling the Bats front office at 502-212-2287.

Louisville Bats Pitcher Robert Stephenson

Cincinnati Reds Pitcher Tony Cingrani

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