Philadelphia Phillies: 2016 Season in Review

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Jun 7, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Eickhoff (48) in the dugout after pitching the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Cubs, 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

PHILLIES 2016 PITCHING STAFF

The Phillies began the 2016 season with a starting pitching rotation made up of newly signed veterans Jeremy Hellickson and Charlie Morton, returning youngsters Aaron Nola and Jerad Eickhoff, and new trade acquisition Vince Velasquez.

By the end of September, only Hellickson and Eickhoff remained taking turns on the hill. Both Morton and Nola were lost to injuries, while Velasquez was shut down in early September.

Jul 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Nola (27) reacts after being hit by a line drive as catcher Rupp (29) calls for time during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. The Marlins defeated the Phillies, 3-2 in 11 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Over the course of the summer, both Adam Morgan and Alec Asher, each of whom had disappointed a year ago in their respective big league debuts, were given another shot at the rotation.

Also, rookies Zach Eflin and Jake Thompson received their baptism to Major League Baseball, while journeyman Phil Klein made two spot starts for the club.

Hellickson went 12-10 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.153 WHIP, tossing 189 innings over 32 starts. He allowed 173 hits, and also had a 154/45 K:BB ratio.

In short, the righty who will turn 30 years old just as the 2017 season is getting underway put himself in line for a nice payday in what will be a weak free agent class. While the Phils would like him back, and he says he would return, that is likely a long shot.

Eickhoff was the revelation. Almost an afterthought to most Phillies fans after he came over from Texas as part of the Cole Hamels trade at the 2015 deadline, he has proven that he is a legit mid-back rotation option for the present and long-term.

Morton was lost to injury in late April for the season before we could really get a gauge on what he could contribute. There is a chance that the club could bring him back for another shot at eating some innings on a one-year deal again in 2017.

Nola is perhaps the most disturbing situation in the short-term. He is beginning to throw, though not yet from a mound, and frankly there is no way of knowing what to expect for 2017.

There is a chance that he could simply work his way back, and again be a reliable #2 type starting pitcher. There is also a real chance that he could need Tommy John surgery, and miss the entire 2017 campaign.

Aug 21, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Velasquez (28) throws a pitch during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Velasquez showed that he can dominate big league lineups. However, he also was inconsistent at times, and often found himself removed early from starts due to rising pitch counts.

If he can harness his talents with accompanying discipline, he could be an ace. He has that top-of-the-rotation potential, with a downside of a potential closer.

Both Eflin and Thompson demonstrated in their short time that they can also be counted on as rotation regulars down the line. Eflin will have to bounce back from his own injury troubles, while Thompson should enter spring training with a rotation berth that is his to lose.

In the bullpen, Jeanmar Gomez emerged as the surprising closer when others had failed at the opportunity during spring training.

Despite his 37 Saves, he was largely miscast in that role, collapsing over the final month, and would best serve the team with a return to his 7th inning relief role.

The team’s best reliever over the course of the season was perhaps the man best suited for that long-term closer role, right-hander Hector Neris.

Neris pitched a pen-high 80.1 innings over 79 games and allowed just 59 hits with a dominating 102/30 K:BB ratio.

His 161 ERA+ and 3.30 FIP marks further demonstrate that Neris is clearly the Phillies best option at the end of ballgames.

David Hernandez was the only other reliever to appear on a regular basis for the club over the full season.

In 70 games, the 31-year old free agent signee tossed 72.2 innings with an 80/32 K:BB ratio, allowing 77 hits. Once again a free agent, his return is questionable.

23-year old righty Edubray Ramos was largely a positive during his rookie season, and should be a part of the 2017 Phillies bullpen.

The club used 10 starting pitchers and 17 relievers this past season. While health always plays a role in determining the makeup of any team’s staff over the course of a season, the Phillies really need to start finding more stability here to have greater success.

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