Call to the pen
Fansided

Phillies: Restructuring 2020’s starting rotation

By Tal Venada

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 06: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros reacts after striking out Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to end the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park on July 06, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 06: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros reacts after striking out Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to end the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park on July 06, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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After recording 5 2/3 innings since July 27, the three weeks may have reenergized Eflin. Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images. /

Usual suspects:   

Regarding player evaluation, some Phillies faithful supporters anticipate an MiLB star affecting the parent club four years before the franchise does. To some, earning an MLB promotion is different from any other industry, and achieving immediate stardom is the rule, not the exception. If not, next!

On the other hand, GMs want three productive months at Double-A before the standout advances to Triple-A, and the execs require a successful half season there before reaching the top plateau. Then, a player makes an impact in or after his third campaign in the majors or its equivalent: front-office thinking, not mine.

Jerad Eickhoff has 76 MLB starts despite missing two injury-plagued 162s., but his four rehab games with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs have produced a 7.88 ERA. But since the three-year mark is 90 outings, he has 14 more starts remaining on his developmental time if the Fightins don’t move him in the offseason.

Despite 71 starts, Nick Pivetta has a 3.60 ERA during eight relief appearances for 15 innings, and he has produced six decent outings out of eight for 75 percent with 80 percent being acceptable. And even though he’s 19 starts shy of three summers, the red pinstripes will need back-end arms in ’20.

After a strong showing for three months, Zach Eflin hit the wall but he’s had a three-week rest. And he’s only made 66 starts: two seasons. So, the next developmental step is to be productive for an entire 162. And he’ll come to Clearwater for a fifth-slot competition with Vince Velasquez after now replacing Arrieta.

With a strong finish, Velasquez will be in the hunt for the final rotation spot next March. Currently, he has 90 starts on his resume, and he has a 3.62 ERA over 32 1/3 frames and six starts for July and August: okay at least for the bottom rung. He has had five decent outings out of six or 83.3 percent compared to an expected 80 percent.

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