Two and a half years have passed since the Cole Hamels deal that brought the Philadelphia Phillies a nice haul of prospects. One that needs a big year in 2018 is pitcher Jake Thompson.
One of the most significant questions for the 2018 Philadelphia Phillies is their starting rotation. After Aaron Nola, the other four spots are up for grabs. One man competing for a spot in the fivesome is youngster Jake Thompson. As one of the big names acquired in the Cole Hamels trade in 2015, Thompson must deliver on the mound.
The Phillies have yet to give Thompson a fair shake. After going 3-6 with a 5.70 ERA in 2016 over the course of 10 starts, Thompson put together a much nicer 2017 campaign. In his most recent effort, the 23-year-old made eight starts and another three relief appearances. The result added a 3-2 record to his stat sheet and a much-improved 3.88 ERA.
An obvious concern for Thompson thus far has been his inability to keep the ball in the yard. He is giving up four-base hits at a rate of 1.7 per nine. Perhaps even worse is how poorly he has controlled his pitches. Thompson is averaging 4.5 walks per nine and not striking many batters out either. His rate of six strikeouts per nine frames is already a low number before even factoring in all of the free passes.
Amazingly, Thompson’s WHIP in 2017 was worse than it was in 2016. The young Phillies starter went from 1.50 in his short rookie campaign up to 1.55 last year. An increase in hits allowed is the main reason for this as he did limit lower his walk average slightly. Somehow, though, Thompson did drop his ERA significantly. We can credit timely outs and a little more maturity on the mound for this.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
The Hamels trade is only now beginning to draw results. Outfielder Nick Williams looks like an everyday player with catcher Jorge Alfaro prepared to do the same in 2018. The other two pitchers aside from Thompson are possibly lost causes.
Alec Asher isn’t even with the organization any longer. As for Jerad Eickhoff, there is hope. After a really good first 41 starts combined in 2015 and 2016, Eickhoff went just 4-8 with a 4.71 ERA in 2017.
Already through his age 26 season, time is running out to have a truly impactful career. Even though he’s young in most industries, Eickhoff is the elder statesman among Phillies starters.
As for Thompson, 2018 is his chance to shine. Nick Pivetta didn’t do much in his 26 starts. Ben Lively and Vince Velasquez will also need better seasons to stay in the rotation. There’s still a strong possibility the Phillies add a veteran arm. If they do, this would then limit opportunities for anyone who can’t piece it all together.
Next: MLB Stadiums: Fun fact rankings of American League ballparks
However they fill out their rotation, Thompson cannot wait another year to establish himself as a true starter the Phillies can use.