The Cincinnati Reds’ No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft, right-handed pitcher Robert Stephenson, was promoted to the Dayton Dragons on Thursday.

Stephenson, 19, will start Friday at Lake County and will make his Fifth Third Field debut Wednesday against Lansing.

“He’s got great stuff,” Dragons manager Delino DeShields said. “He has a solid work ethic. He seems like a focused kid. If he doesn’t change and stays healthy, the sky’s the limit for him.”

Stephenson was 1-0 with a 2.05 ERA in seven starts in Billings (Mont.). He struck out 37 in 30 2/3 innings. In his last outing Saturday, he allowed one run on five innings. His fastball has been clocked as high as 100 miles per hour.

Stephenson, 19, signed last August for a reported $2 million and made his pro debut in June after starting the season in extended spring training.

Stephenson was drafted out of Alhambra High School in Martinez, Calif. He was the 27th pick overall. He threw back-to-back no-hitters as a senior and was 8-2 with a 1.19 ERA in 76 2/3 inniungs.

Stephenson was the first high school player drafted by the Reds in the first round since Devin Mesoraco in 2007. They hadn’t drafted a pitcher in the first round since Homer Bailey in 2004.

The Dragons haven’t had a first-round pick since Mesoraco.

Other first-round Reds picks to play in Dayton include: Drew Stubbs, Jay Bruce, Bailey, Chris Gruler, David Espinosa, Austin Kearns and Ty Howington.