Top prospect Robert Stephenson key to Cincinnati Reds’ pitching future

Written by

John Fay

The Cincinnati Enquirer

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty was talking about retaining players the other day and how difficult it is. Afterward, he paused a bit and said:

“You’ve got to keep the flowing going.”

He was referring to the figurative waters of the player development system. The gem of that system is Robert Stephenson, a hard-throwing, 21-year-old right-hander who will likely start his season playing at Double-A Pensecola, with a stop at Triple-A Louisville likely on his way up the Reds’ ladder.

The Reds apparently are keeping Homer Bailey long-term. But the club will face the same decision next year with Mat Latos, Mike Leake and Johnny Cueto that it faced this year with Bailey: Do you sign them long-term or allow them to walk as free agents?

It’s hard to imagine the Reds being able to keep all three.

That makes Stephenson one of the most important players in camp. Stephenson is also the youngest player. He’s the club’s No. 1 prospect, thus the guy most likely to replace Latos, Leake or Cueto should they depart.

Stephenson has the whole package: Pitcher’s build (6-foot-3, 195 […]

Top prospect Robert Stephenson key to Cincinnati Reds’ pitching futureGame2016-12-09T00:03:04-08:00

Epperson Tabbed as Big West Field Player of the Week

I’m not surprised about this guy. Joey has been a GS athlete since 2007. A diligent and sharp learner he comes every off season no matter how short and soaks up everything he can in our speed and power workouts. He then goes back and does the work on his own. He knows what he needs to do and he gets it done regardless of what his team program is doing. That’s taking charge and being in tune with yourself as an athlete. Very proud of your success.

March 3rd, SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Senior third baseman Joey Epperson was voted the Big West Field Player of the Week after leading UC Santa Barbara to a perfect 4-0 week by hitting .588 and collecting multiple hits in each game, the conference announced this morning.

For the week, the leadoff man scored eight runs, was 5-5 in stolen base attempts, and drove in four runs.

Epperson was a key figure in Tuesday’s upset of No. 19 UCLA, going 3-5 and stealing two bases in the 6-4 win.

He then went on to abuse Princeton’s pitching staff this weekend, hitting .583 in the three-game series. In the […]

Epperson Tabbed as Big West Field Player of the WeekGame2016-12-09T00:03:04-08:00

Michelle Thompson Double Hurdle Champ at East Bay Invite

The Dougherty Valley junior won the varsity 100H in a time of 16.33 (.01 off her PB) and the 300H in 47.84. Her times rank her #10 and #24 in the state. Not bad for an athlete who is only in her second year of track. Lots of upside. She works hard off season at Gamespeed and with renowned hurdle coach Remi Korchemny. Keep it up kid its working.

Michelle Thompson Double Hurdle Champ at East Bay InviteGame2016-12-09T00:03:05-08:00

Alex Huggins: Named Athlete of the Meet at K-Bell Invitational

Congrats to Alex Huggins who had a banner day at the K-Bell invitational at Los Gatos High. The Dublin senior started the day with running a leg on the Gaels 400 relay which finished 2nd with a season best time of 44.10 behind Bellarmine Prep in 44.00. He then came back to win the 400 meters in a personal best time of 50.60 (#18 in Ca) in a narrow win over Kyle Orloff of Serra a 2013 CCS finalist with a PR of 48.84 . Alex and Orloff matched up again in the 200m with Huggins winning in a personal best time of 22.29 over Orloff’s 22.60. Huggins time is currently ranked #12 in the state. For his efforts he was named Athlete of the Meet.

Alex is a newcomer to track and field. He initially came to Gamespeed for baseball training. When things didn’t pan out on the diamond he considered the oval at the urging of his father Alvin and Gamespeed trainer Aaron Thigpen who recognized his talents. His debut season last year was muted by no off season training and a bothersome foot injury. He finished 2013 with […]

Alex Huggins: Named Athlete of the Meet at K-Bell InvitationalGame2016-12-09T00:03:05-08:00

Balance is the Key: Are You Working Out Too Much?

BY MARK BAUTISTA FITNESS MARCH 6, 2014

ARE YOU WORKING OUT TOO MUCH?

We like to simplify everything into easy equations so that we can understand them in simpler terms. Unfortunately, in the world of health and fitness, one plus one does not always equal two. More exercise does not always equal greater physical results.

I do not work out as much as most “gym rats”, but I produce greater results long-term

: How much time and energy do you invest?

When it comes to health and fitness, you will generally increase your results when you decide to focus on quality over quantity. The law of diminishing return states that the more you work, the less you get compared to the amount of effort produced. If you ride the optimal line of cost and return, you can achieve your goals with minimal effort. Do not make this an excuse to become lazy. Learn to channel your energy into the most beneficial exercises and other aspects of your health and fitness to get more out your efforts. After learning how to optimally train for better results, take your excess willpower […]

Balance is the Key: Are You Working Out Too Much?Game2016-12-09T00:03:05-08:00

Gamespeed’s Noah Myers awarded MVP for Offensive Linemen at Rivals Camp Northern California

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While a couple of relatively unknown players also snagged MVP honors. Noah Myers walked away as the top O-lineman after an outstanding day,

Gamespeed’s Noah Myers awarded MVP for Offensive Linemen at Rivals Camp Northern CaliforniaGame2016-12-09T00:03:05-08:00

Cincinnati Reds 2014 Spring Training Profile: Robert Stephenson

Courtesy of RantSports.com

Cincinnati Reds 2014 Spring Training Profile: Robert Stephenson

February 13, 2014 1:53 pm EST by Kyle Johansen

Getty Images

Robert Stephenson “has all of the ingredients to become a frontline starter,” according to Baseball America; the only problem is that he’s going to have to wait his turn before he’s pitching at the top of the Reds’ rotation.

The Cincinnati Reds signed Stephenson for $2 million in 2011 as the No. 27 overall pick in the draft. His arsenal includes a fastball with excellent movement at 93-95, a changeup that projects as a plus pitch and a curveball with similar potential. According to Baseball America, Stephenson “has a good feel for his secondary pitches,” and combined with a fastball has reached 100 mph, the sky is the limit for the young right-hander.

Beginning the 2013 season at single-A, Stephenson overmatched his competition with 96 strikeouts in 77 innings pitched leading to 0.99 WHIP and 4.80 K/BB. Stephenson was then promoted to high-A where he continued to excel and finished the season with 16.2 innings pitched at double-A. While he accelerated through the minors last season, the Reds […]

Cincinnati Reds 2014 Spring Training Profile: Robert StephensonGame2016-12-09T00:03:05-08:00

Gamespeed: Johanna Grauer named to Max Preps Pre-Season All American Team

P – Johanna Grauer, Amador Valley (Pleasanton, Calif.), Sr.

Photo by Ernie Abrea

Johanna Grauer, Amador Valley

Last season Grauer was 22-2 with a 0.08 ERA with only two earned runs given up and 39 hits allowed in 152 innings pitched in which she struck out 274 batters. Besides pitching one perfect game this season, Grauer pitched three no-hitters and eight one-hitters. As a batter, after struggling with a batting average below .200 until midway through league play, she ended up at .328 on the season. She has signed with UCLA.

Gamespeed: Johanna Grauer named to Max Preps Pre-Season All American TeamGame2016-12-09T00:03:06-08:00

Temp Site is Up & Running; 6800 Suite L

Thanks to all that helped with the move. One down, one to go.

Temp Site is Up & Running; 6800 Suite LGame2016-12-09T00:03:06-08:00

Gamespeed: Joey Epperson Starts season off with first BOMB!

Joey started his season off with a blast to help the Gaucho’s win over San Jose St. A GS athlete for over six years he spends his off season devoted a speed and power. A great student who is well in tune with his training continues to use what he learns away from GS with resounding results. Looking forward to a big year Joey.

February 23, 2014

Gauchos Win San Jose State Rubber Match Behind Offensive Rout, Hecht’s Gem

Joey Epperson (Photo by Danielle Rodriguez)

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara offense fired on all cylinders in a Sunday rubber match at San Jose State, scoring 10 runs on 19 hits to easily claim the series win over the Spartans and give the Gauchos a respectable 3-1 record after the opening week of the 2014 season.

The 10-1 win gave sophomore righty Dylan Hecht his second win of the week after he led the team to an Opening Day victory over Cal State Bakersfield this past Tuesday. San Jose State dropped to 2-6 with the loss.

UCSB’s 19 hits were the most recorded by the team in a single game […]

Gamespeed: Joey Epperson Starts season off with first BOMB!Game2016-12-09T00:03:06-08:00

Uncategorized

Written by

John Fay

The Cincinnati Enquirer

I do not work out as much as most “gym rats”, but I produce greater results long-term

Courtesy of RantSports.com

Cincinnati Reds 2014 Spring Training Profile: Robert Stephenson

Gauchos Win San Jose State Rubber Match Behind Offensive Rout, Hecht’s Gem