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Philadelphia Phillies starting pitching rotation alternatives

By Tal Venada |
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 29: Nick Pivetta #43 of the Philadelphia Phillies talks with catcher Andrew Knapp #15 and pitching coach Rick Kranitz #39 during a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on June 29, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 29: Nick Pivetta #43 of the Philadelphia Phillies talks with catcher Andrew Knapp #15 and pitching coach Rick Kranitz #39 during a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on June 29, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
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The Phillies are evaluating Pivetta on a start-to-start basis with the hope that a replacement won’t be necessary. Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images.
The Phillies are evaluating Pivetta on a start-to-start basis with the hope that a replacement won’t be necessary. Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images. /

Because the Phillies have additions behind the plate, in the pen, and to the infield, general manager Matt Klentak recently expressed pride regarding his stretch-drive trades.

Bottom-rung issue:       

For the Philadelphia Phillies, Klentak has addressed the franchise’s needs for more offensive, better catching defense and a lefty specialist. But although the GM did not deal for a closer or a starter, he has other possibilities on the active 25 and the 40-man roster.

IN OTHER WORDS:         “I have a number of alternatives, and each one gives me something different.” – Glenn Hoddle

In the absence of quality starters, many organizations fortify the back end of the bullpen. For instance, the New York Yankees are exhibit A for a loaded relief corps to compensate for their five-man staff. Yes, Klentak is doing the same thing to a lesser degree.

Another way is with a strong defensive receiver to catch hard-to-handle pitches and earn the hurler’s trust. Ergo, the moundsman increases his effectiveness due to his batterymate. As for management, they had this in mind with backstop Wilson Ramos.

Some fans are not happy the front office didn’t acquire Cole Hamels or J.A. Happ, but the clubs picking them up were the Chicago Cubs and the Yankees respectively. In other words, they are where the 2009 Phillies were expectation-wise.

Basically, the available arms were not an upgrade over Zach Eflin or Vince Velasquez. Hamels and Happ were struggling: Hamels had only one so-so outing out of his last five, and Happ needed two good starts for a 5.87 July ERA. No, outbidding wasn’t an option!

For the red pinstripes, only Nick Pivetta, the five-slot hurler, is inconsistent: One bad performance out of five is acceptable. The flamethrower, however, had eight bad outings out of 11 for June and July: 1-6 with a 6.84 ERA as a starter. A liability?

On the other hand, playoff teams need only four starters. But Eflin and Velasquez will be facing the toughest competition and increased pressure with each series. Translation: Adding a veteran with postseason experience for the three slot might be worthwhile for the NLDS and NLCS.

De Los Santos will probably get the next start if Pivetta struggles going forward. Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images.
De Los Santos will probably get the next start if Pivetta struggles going forward. Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images. /

Triple-A replacements:     

Regarding the rotation of the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, three of those five hurlers have pitched for the 2018 Phillies. They are right-handers Enyel De Los Santos, Drew Anderson and southpaw Ranger Suarez. Presently, these three are Pivetta’s challengers.

If the good guys need another fireballer for the ninth inning, Pivetta, De Los Santos or Anderson could be possibilities. Usually, a starter who goes to the bullpen increases his velocity due to max effort, and Pivetta was excellent in his only relief appearance.

WORTH REPEATING: “Baseball is a rookie, his experience no bigger than the lump in his throat as he begins fulfillment of his dream.” – Ernie Harwell

The elimination process begins with righty Ben Lively due to a season-ending shoulder injury. Of course, other hopefuls had already passed him on the depth chart, and promotions from the  lower levels will affect him sooner or later.

Lefty Cole Irvin is having a stellar campaign, but he’s not on the 40-man roster and won’t require organizational protection until after the 2019 season. So, even though he’s 10-3 with a 2.77 ERA, the execs will not prematurely burn a roster spot.

As for Jerad Eickhoff, if he’s healthy, he’ll shortly begin an August rehab assignment. But he could return sooner in a long relief role. Under normal circumstances, he would now be the fifth starter on the active roster.

Being a southpaw may help Suarez get another start if Pivetta has multiple poor outings. Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images.
Being a southpaw may help Suarez get another start if Pivetta has multiple poor outings. Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images. /

Auditioning:

Despite having a 5.58 ERA with a 2-9 record, right-hander Tom Eshelman has been solid in his last three performances: 1-2 with a 1.96 ERA for 18 1/3 frames. That stated, Klentak has advanced other prospects in a similar situation, and Eshelman has a reputation for control. Yes, the GM could give him a shot.

As for Anderson, he’s 8-3 with a 3.91 ERA, but he’s made a strong showing in his last three starts: 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA for 18 innings. In other words, the flamethrower’s under consideration for the five slot. And since he has received call-ups in 2017 and 2018, he could receive an opportunity.

For his first MLB outing, Suarez demonstrated confidence even though he gave up a pair of two-run homers. Then, he had his first poor start for Lehigh Valley but is still 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA for four performances over 20 frames. On the other hand, being a portsider could give him a slight advantage for another shot.

When he made his major league debut, De Los Santos was 9-3 with a 1.89 ERA for the IronPigs, but he is now 9-4 with a 2.51 ERA after his last two appearances. He could get another chance if Pivetta joins the pen or the Allentown affiliate. In either case, Kapler will probably hand De Los Santos the ball.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “All you have to remember is audition is synonymous with opportunity. I mean, if you absolutely hate auditioning, do you also hate opportunities? That wouldn’t make much sense.” – Hilary Swank

When the Washington Nationals ownership nixed moving veterans like left-hander Gio Gonzalez, they decided to make a run at the division crown. Meanwhile, Atlanta is only a half game back and each start is critical. And what does that make Pivetta? The weakest link!

Anderson may also have another opportunity for the fifth rung of the Phillies rotation. Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images.
Anderson may also have another opportunity for the fifth rung of the Phillies rotation. Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images. /

The Numerical Bible:

This review is not a sabermetrics article, which means no heavy statistical analysis. But because some readers rely on stats, this is only a reference: no reason to articulate the importance of these numbers.

Goal of 80 percent (through Aug. 3):

Phillies starters:

  • Eflin: 8 good and 1 so-so of 14 total for 64.3%
  • Velasquez: 15 good and 2 so-so of 21 total for 81.0%
  • Pivetta: 12 good and 0 so-so of 22 total for 54.6%
  • De Los Santos: 1 good and 0 so-so of 2 total for 50.0%
  • Anderson: 0 good and 0 so-so of 1 total for 00.0%
  • Suarez: 0 good and 0 so-so of 1 total for 00.0%
  • Lively: 2 good and 0 so-so of 5 total for 50.0%

IronPigs starters:

  • De Los Santos: 14 good and 1 so-so of 18 total for 83.3%
  • Anderson: 9 good and 2 so-so of 14 total for 78.6%
  • Suarez: 2 good and 1 so-so of 4 total for 75.0%
  • Irvin: 13 good and 4 so-so of 20 total for 85.0%
  • Eshelman: 8 good and 4 so-so of 21 total for 57.1%
  • Lively: 7 good and 1 so-so of 8 total for 100.0%

Fightin Phils starters:

  • Suarez: 10 good and 1 so-so of 12 total for 91.7%

Stats through Aug. 3:

More from Call to the Pen

Phillies starters:

  • Eflin, 24: 14 Gms., 76 2/3 Inn., 7-3, a 3.64 ERA, a 3.77 FIP, a 4.05 xFIP, a 3.93 SIERA, a 1.5 fWAR and a 1.17 WHIP.
  • Velasquez, 26: 22 Gms. (1 relief), 113 2/3 Inn., 8-8, a 3.80 ERA, a 3.60 FIP, a 3.84 xFIP, a 3.82 SIERA, a 2.1 fWAR and a 1.24 WHIP.
  • Pivetta, 25.5: 23 Gms. (1 relief), 113 2/3 Inn., 6-9, a 4.75 ERA, a 3.58 FIP, a 3.22 xFIP, a 3.23 SIERA, a 2.3 fWAR and a 1.29 WHIP.

De Los Santos, 22.5:

  • Phillies: 2 Gms., 10 2/3 Inn., 1-0, a 6.75 ERA, a 5.51 FIP, a 4.93 xFIP, a 4.86 SIERA, a 0.0 fWAR and a 1.50 WHIP.
  • AAA: 18 Gms., 104 Inn., 9-4, a 2.51 ERA, a 4.02 FIP, a 3.91 xFIP and a 1.16 WHIP.

Anderson, 24:

  • Phillies: 2 Gms. (1 relief), 6 Inn., 0-1, a 6.00 ERA, a 2.34 FIP, a 4.26 xFIP, a 4.46 SIERA, a 0.2 fWAR and a 1.50 WHIP.
  • AAA: 14 Gms., 76 Inn., 8-3, a 3.91 ERA, a 4.68 FIP, a 4.17 xFIP and a 1.16 WHIP.

Suarez, almost 23:

  • Phillies: 1 Gm., 5 Inn., 1-0, a 7.20 ERA, a 7.77 FIP, a 4.88 xFIP, a 4.91 SIERA, a -0.1 fWAR and a 1.40 WHIP.
  • AAA: 4 Gms., 20 Inn., 1-0, a 2.70 ERA, a 3.80 FIP, a 4.31 xFIP and a 1.50 WHIP.
  • AA: 12 Gms., 75 Inn., 4-3, a 2.76 ERA, a 3.12 FIP, a 3.76 xFIP and a 1.12 WHIP.

Lively, 26:

  • Phillies: 5 Gms., 23 2/3 Inn., 0-2, a 6.85 ERA, a 5.16 FIP, a 5.19 xFIP, a 4.77 SIERA, a 0.1 fWAR and a 1.86 WHIP.
  • AAA: 8 Gms., 48 Inn., 2-2, a 2.44 ERA, a 3.36 FIP, a 3.69 xFIP and a 1.02 WHIP.

IronPigs starters:

  • Eshelman, 24: 21 Gms., 108 Inn., 2-9, a 5.58 ERA, a 4.74 FIP, a 4.23 xFIP and a 1.71 WHIP.
  • Irvin, 24.5: 21 Gms., 130 Inn., 10-3, a 2.77 ERA, a 3.32 FIP, a 3.43 xFIP and a 1.08 WHIP.

Phillies: New wrinkle to plan A. dark. Next

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