Call to the pen
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Phillies: Rotation’s 5-slot battle

By Tal Venada

CLEARWATER, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Jerad Eickoff #48 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the second inning of the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at Spectrum Field on February 27, 2018 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Jerad Eickoff #48 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the second inning of the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at Spectrum Field on February 27, 2018 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /
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With Pivetta’s results and stuff, he doesn’t want Eickhoff to replace him. Photo by Miles Kennedy/Philadelphia Phillies/Getty Images. /

Prospects:

When you look at the numbers for Lehigh Valley, think Scott Kingery. The competition in Triple-A is nothing compared to the majors. In fact, it’s the ceiling for half of the advancing talent from Double-A and demoted MLB veterans want to bounce back.

Even thought Irvin is the only left-hander among the IronPigs starters, the Phillies probably won’t allot him a roster slot until after the 2019 season: no September call-up. He’s had four good outings to three struggling ones, but he recorded 14 frames with one run (earned) during his last two starts.

Triple-A stats through May 17:

  • Irvin, 24: 7 Gms., 42 Inn., 3-1, 3.21 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.
  • De Los Santos, 22.5: 7 Gms., 38 1/3 Inn., 4-1, 1.40 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP.
  • Eshelman, almost 24: 7 Gms., 36 2/3 Inn., 1-3, 6.87 ERA and a 1.94 WHIP.
  • Lively, 26: 1 Gm., 5 Inn., 1-0, 0.00 ERA and a 0.40 WHIP.
  • Anderson, 24: 1 Gm., 4 2/3 Inn., 0-0, 5.79 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP (after-DL stint).

On the other hand, righty De Los Santos will require a roster spot after this campaign. But if he continues to dominate the International League, he could advance to the parent club after the July break.

Last year, the faithful anticipated the promotion of Eshelman, who like De Los Santos will need roster protection after this 162. But he’s had a dreadful April and May with only one good performance to six forgettable ones. And since Eshelman depends on pinpoint control, he might have a mechanical problem or two.

Lastly, Lively is back with the Allentown affiliate, where he fired five scoreless innings with only a hit and a walk. He tossed 68 pitches in his first appearance after a disabled-list stint. However, he had two good and two poor outings for the Phillies and a 4.64 ERA before his disastrous last start due to lower back stiffness.

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