So I’ve been thinking a LOT about how Sprout could have been redeemed in the show, if they would have decided to do so.
I imagine Sprout (being the lazy reluctant fella he is) would at the beginning of an episode enters the sheriffs office, where Hitch is.
He would complain to Hitch about the community service, overexaggeratingly saying that it’s like torture. Hitch would respond with something referencing the gravity of what he had done, and how community service is very graceful given the damage done.
Sprout would say that he understands (he only actually understands half way) and that he just wishes there was something he could do to make up for it.
Then Zipp enters. (Her specifically because she tends to hang around Hitch more often while Sunny, Pipp, and Izzy tend to be a separate trio when it’s not just Izzy and Sunny.)
Sprout rolls his eyes at her entrance and she does the same back to him.
Hitch looks at both of them and gets an idea.
He tells Sprout that there might be another way. He now has two options: spend time with Sunny and her friends (while being nice about it snd learning about friendship), or double the community service time.
He makes an angered expression and sighs, choosing the easier option.
This could eventually lead to him having fun, joining in their group in a sort of distant way, reminiscent of how starlight glimmer very kind of became friends with the mane 6.
Out of the mane 6 though starlight has the most screen time with twilight. This is why I would make it so he would spend the most time with Pipp, as I think they would get along somehow.
This would give Pipp and Sprout more screen time and room for character development as well as episodes focused on the two of them.
Let me know your thoughts guys!!!