Call to the pen
Fansided

Phillies’ rotation battle heats up

By Tal Venada

CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 13: Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler meets with the umpires at home plate before the spring training game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 13, 2018, at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 13: Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler meets with the umpires at home plate before the spring training game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 13, 2018, at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Entering camp, Pivetta was the favorite for an open rotation slot. Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images. /

With each outing by a Phillies’ candidate for the last two starting spots, the decisions by general manager Matt Klentak could become more difficult and will come down to the wire, or will they?

Forgotten misperception:

While fans revel in the pitching acquisition by the Philadelphia Phillies, they might not realize the competition for the bottom of the rotation is perhaps the most interesting development in camp. That stated, some of the faithful were dreading the upcoming 162 needlessly.

"IN OTHER WORDS: “As you inquire into issues and turn judgments around, you come to see that every perceived problem appearing “out there” is really nothing more than a misperception within your own thinking.” – Byron Katie"

For the third consecutive Opening Day, Aaron Nola and Vince Velasquez will be two of the five starters. Of course, Jake Arrieta will be there to mentor them from a player’s perspective. Unfortunately, Jerad Eickhoff will be on the disabled list with a strained lat.

Two rotation candidates dial up 93-mph smoke regularly: Nick Pivetta and Zach Eflin. Ergo, they are first and second on pitching coach Rick Kranitz’s depth chart. But the hurler with better stuff is Pivetta.

Of the finesse moundsmen, Ben Lively has major league experience and is accurate enough for the Phils’ rotation. On the other hand, right-hander Tom Eshelman hits the catcher’s mitt more than the MLB average of 70 percent. He’ll eventually challenge the weakest link on the starting staff.

As for some Phillies sites, unfortunately, those locals “muted” their happiness with negative comments. One stated the organization is playing games by having a rotation including Eickhoff and Velasquez, and he demanded real pitchers. Easy to say, hard to do.

For others, Arrieta was a bad move because his numbers are declining due to his age. Again, the poster did not offer any names because a GM’s job is finding those aces. Of course, other franchises will demand Rhys Hoskins and Scott Kingery for openers.

Beginning spring training, Klentak, Kapler, and Kranitz agreed with their preferences for the bottom of the five-man staff. And the reason for the order of Pivetta, Eflin and Lively as one, two and three is their stuff. Ergo, a pitch down the middle at 91 mph gets hit, and one at 93 mph is not always problematic.

The average velocity of four-seam fastballs:

  • MLB average: 93.19 mph.
  • Pivetta: 94.7 mph.
  • Velasquez: 94.2 mph.
  • Eflin: 93.7 mph.
  • Nola: 92.7 mph.
  • Arietta: 92.6 mph.
  • Lively: 91.6 mph.
  • Eshelman: 90.5 mph.
  • Eickhoff: 90.5 mph.
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