PIO notes: Stephenson sticking to plan

The first half of his first Minor League season is in the books, and Billings Mustangs catcher Tyler Stephenson admits he's still searching for his niche as the 2015 first-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds.

But he knows it takes time.

"I think people see me as a first pick and there are a lot of expectations for me to do great in my first year," Stephenson said. "But this is Rookie ball. [Reds roving catching coordinator] Corky Miller was in here about a week ago and he said, 'You're going to make mistakes. That's what you're here for. You're here to learn what you can and can't do right now.'

"That's really what I'm trying to do, just trying to learn what kind of player I'm going to be down the road."

Chosen No. 11 overall in June out of Kennesaw Mountain High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, the 18-year-old Stephenson already has bigleague size at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds. That along with his advanced skill set made him the first catcher taken in the Draft.

In a league that also features Orem All-Star catcher Taylor Ward -- another first-round pick -- Stephenson's adjustment to the professional ranks has been gradual.

Stephenson is hitting .294 with eight doubles and eight RBIs over 28 games, including three multi-hit performances over his last five games. The considerable power potential he demonstrated in high school hasn't manifested yet -- he's still searching for his first professional home run.

Defensively, Stephenson had made five errors and was charged with four passed balls. He'd thrown out 25 percent of attempted base stealers (11 of 44).

"It's a big jump from high school, but for what I'm expected to do, I think I've held up pretty good," Stephenson said. "I'd like to do better at the plate, but I know I'm young, and I know they're not expecting me to hit .320 with 20 home runs. It's a work in progress.

"Defensively, the big difference is that runners are more aggressive. In high school everybody knew about my arm strength and not many people tried to steal. But here, one through nine they're stealing. That's something I've got to get better at, get quicker feet and a better arm to give me a chance to throw guys out."

Perhaps the most difficult thing for a rookie catcher is learning to command a pitching staff, but he's handled top-flight arms before. Stephenson teamed in high school with pitchers Zach Goodman and Riley Gilliam, who both will play collegiately at Clemson. Goodman and Gilliam, Stephenson said, are future Draft picks.

One connection Stephenson has made is with Mustangs right-hander Ty Boyles.

After Tuesday's start in which he allowed one earned run in 7 2/3 innings, Boyles' ERA shrunk to 1.88, which ranks second in the league behind Great Falls' Tanner Banks (1.21).

The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Boyles, who has been in the Reds system for three years, has gotten a close look at Stephenson's potential and the facets of his game that need work.

"It's difficult," said Boyles, who was named to the Pioneer League All-Star team. "He's 18 and coming out of high school. It's tough to come in and learn the pitchers, learn what they like to throw and when they like to throw it.

"He's got the pressure of being a first-rounder. But he's been doing well. If he just keeps working on it, he'll get there."

In brief

The catalyst: Isan Diaz's sweet swing was a big factor in Missoula claiming the North Division's first-half title. Through July 28, Diaz was hitting .378 (second-best in the league) with five homers and 25 RBIs and had scored 29 runs. The Osprey clinched a playoff berth by virtue of their first-half crown, which they won by 5 1/2 games over Great Falls.

Freeland's return: Grand Junction lefty Kyle Freeland is back on the mound after recovering from shoulder fatigue. In two starts, Colorado's first-round Draft pick in 2014 has thrown seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and two walks. Last year Freeland pitched in five games for Grand Junction and five more with Asheville of the Class A South Atlantic League.

Star showcase: The first-ever All-Star Game between the Pioneer League and Northwest League will be played Aug. 4 in Spokane, Washington. Avista Stadium, a 6,800-seat venue that is home to the NWL's Spokane Indians, is one of the largest-capacity stadiums at the Rookie or short-season levels.