Lorenzen, Stephenson bringing the heat

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- During Tuesday's game with the Royals, two of the Reds' top pitching prospects were displaying some serious heat on the radar gun. Michael Lorenzen, who threw a perfect inning, was hitting 98 mph.

No. 1 pitching prospect Robert Stephenson frequently touched 96 mph, but allowed two runs and five hits in his two innings.

"We've got some hard throwers in camp," Reds manager Bryan Price said on Wednesday. "I think the best thing that happens sometimes in this camp is when the hard throwers give up some hits. You talk about you should be able to manage an inning or two with your fastball only if you can command it. Sheer velocity, with rare exception, overpowers big league hitters.

"This is really a good introduction. Our young guys have come in throwing some velocity numbers but still have found the barrel with some regularity. You have to be able to manage the fastball, manage the strike zone and you've got to pitch down."