Phillies’ year of the challenge
By Tal Venada
One or two:
When the agents realize their $14 million starter won’t receive, for instance, an offer of $20 million per year, the costs will be realistic, and Klentak will decide at that time. In other words, if a bargain isn’t there, he’ll pick between the available stopgaps and the youngsters on the 40-man roster.
Going with in-house arms after Nola, Eickhoff, and Velasquez, the Phils have the big ifs: right-handers Lively, Nick Pivetta, Zach Eflin and Jake Thompson. That stated, one or two will be starters through April, and the others will work on their pointed-out shortcomings with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
In May, one or two hurlers could switch places if management doesn’t like the results. And righty Thomas Eshelman will probably join the competition with a June call-up if he continues his success with Lehigh Valley.
Barring a surprise performance in March, the four moundsmen with some big league experience will continue learning their craft with the Phillies or the IronPigs. However, they all have difficulty being consistent. And accuracy for an MLB pitcher is 70 percent.
If a hurler doesn’t have an average heater, his reliance on control is even more critical. Therefore, having more giddyap on a fastball can be the difference-maker for a major league opportunity. Expect Pivetta to get more chances.
Average speed of four-seam fastballs:
- MLB average: 93.19 mph.
- Pivetta: 94.5 mph.
- Eflin: 92.98 mph.
- Lively: 91.3 mph.
- Thompson: 91.03 mph.
- Leiter: 91.03 mph.