Stephens was an 18th-round pick back in 2012 and slowly worked his way through the Reds' organization, doing well enough to get added to the 40-man roster last offseason. But his success at Double-A Pensacola in 2016 didn't carry over to Triple-A Louisville, where he had a 4.92 ERA and 1.49 WHIP before getting a callup as a proverbial last man on the 40-man roster. He had better strikeout numbers as a reliever (as most pitchers do), and that might be where he ultimately lands. The Reds are getting Brandon Finnegan, Anthony DeSclafani and Homer Bailey back in the rotation, and have real prospects like Tyler Mahle, Amir Garrett and Cody Reed knocking on the door too. Even if the Reds don't sign a veteran free agent starter over the offseason, Stephens will be hard-pressed to work his way back into the rotation.