Call to the pen
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Last-Minute Decision by the Phillies

By Tal Venada

Apr 15, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson throws to the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson throws to the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Thompson Is a Slow Starter, Which Will Hurt His MLB Chances. Photo by Jonathan Dyer – USA TODAY Sports.
Thompson Is a Slow Starter, Which Will Hurt His MLB Chances. Photo by Jonathan Dyer – USA TODAY Sports. /

When the time would come for the first meeting to replace a disabled starter, management’s strategy was that Eflin and righty Jake Thompson were going to compete for the first recall. Yes, both had physical concerns in Clearwater, which put them behind the other pitchers in camp; but – Klentak pointed out – they each were on the mound for Opening Day except in different leagues. Of course, the GM decided against Thompson due to his slow start but wanted a third outing from Eflin to be sure. So much for their planning.

"IN OTHER WORDS:     “In the end it all comes down to talent. You can talk all you want about intangibles, I just don’t know what that means. Talent makes winners, not intangibles. Can nice guys win? Sure, nice guys can win – if they’re nice guys with a lot of talent. Nice guys with a little talent finish fourth and nice guys with no talent finish last.” – Sanford “Sandy” Koufax"

With Thompson, the Phils have noticed his first four starts to open a year or at a higher level have been disastrous, but in the minors he then dominated. However, locally, his final six appearances were inconsistent: He overly respected the competition by being too careful: free passes. Hopefully, his next two outings will be different.

MiLB Pitching:

  • Thompson for 2016: 21 AAA Gms., 129 2/3 Inn., 11-5, a 2.50 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP.
  • Thompson for 2017: 2 AAA Gms., 4 2/3 Inn., 0-2, a 28.93 ERA and a 4.50 WHIP.
  • Eflin for 2016: 11 AAA Gms., 68 1/3 Inn., 5-2, a 2.90 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP.
  • Eflin for 2017: 1 A+ Gm., 5 Inn., 1-0, a 0.00 ERA and a 0.20 WHIP.
  • Eflin for 2017: 1 AAA Gm., 5 Inn., 1-0, a 0.00 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP.
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