Philadelphia Phillies: Rotation options for the 2018 season
The Philadelphia Phillies have a few years left before truly competing again. With so many young exciting arms in the system, the rotation could be the part that leads the team, but who will be a part of it next season?
Whether it be because of ineffectiveness or injury, the rotation has seen many different starters this year. The Philadelphia Phillies have yet to find the true diamond of their minor league arms, but they do have several that have shown glances of that. There is a possibility the team takes a look outside of the organization for help this offseason, but with so much controllable talent it doesn’t seem necessary to overpay for a short term answer. It would seem as if there are three rotation spots open for next year, these are the players that should start for the Phillies.
Aaron Nola
Aaron Nola is a lock for the rotation next year, and rightfully so after an impressive season. He was drafted as a difference maker out of LSU, and he is proving to be one. No one on the Philadelphia Phillies has that feeling of “superstar” more than Nola, and the rotation needs that kind of swagger out there every fifth day. The movement on Nola’s off speed pitches along with a consistent mid 90’s fastball has led him to a consistent 3.71 ERA. Nola is the brightest star in this rotation, and giving him more time as the ace should only help him even more.
Jerad Eickhoff
Jerad Eickhoff doesn’t get the credit he deserves for filling an important role. Over the last few years, he has quietly become one of the Phillies most reliable starters. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but his curveball is one of the best in baseball, and coupling that with an above average changeup and solid fastball keeps batters confused. This season has been tough for Eickhoff as he has battled injuries and inconsistency, but he has shown the team enough to make him the second starter heading into 2018.
Ben Lively
This is where things get interesting. None of the other options for rotation spots have had sustained success in the major leagues so far, so the rest of the rotation could be built completely on the upside. Ben Lively has shown flashes this season of why he could reach that level of success. His win-loss record of 3-5 isn’t impressive, but what jumps out is his 3.92 ERA, one of the lowest in the rotation at this point in the season. Lively’s ability to limit the damage to opposing teams is key for next year, he has only allowed more than 3 earned runs in a game twice in ten starts. With a revamped Phillies offense, Lively will be able to keep the team competitive.
Drew Anderson
With so many unknowns battling for rotation spots, I believe fans could see a surprise or two in the rotation. Drew Anderson deserves a shot in the major leagues which is why I believe he could be one of those surprises. The team brought him up for his debut as a reliever, but long term he is a starter. In this scenario, Anderson would be the only pitcher in the rotation that possesses overpowering pitches. A fastball that sits at 95 MPH regularly (along with a good changeup) is what allowed him to pitch so well between AA and AAA this season, going 9-4 with a 3.46 ERA. The Phillies have pulled the trigger too quickly on prospects in the past, but Anderson has the tools to find success as a starter in the major leagues.
Mark Leiter Jr
A workman like innings eater is a role not many around the league play. Mark Leiter Jr has shown that he not only is willing to play this role but also give everything he has. None of his pitches are overpowering, but consistency is key for Leiter, which is why he reminds me so much of Joe Blanton during his time with the Philadelphia Phillies. Giving the Phillies six innings every time out is what they need from a 5th starter, and while Leiter isn’t the most electrifying, he does the job well.
It would come as a shock to some to see players like Vince Velasquez, Jake Thompson, and Zach Eflin left out of the rotation, but none of them have had positive results so far in the majors. Out of those three, the pitchers who could reinvent themselves to have a positive effect on the team is Velasquez, as he has the stuff to be a top tier closer. After a year full of injuries it may be time to pull the trigger on Velasquez as a closer, but Thompson and Eflin may be better suited as depth right now.
Next: Phillies star prospect J.P. Crawford getting big league chance
The Philadelphia Phillies have potential throughout the roster. It is up to the young players who are given a chance to play to go out and seize the opportunity. Going into 2018 having a rotation of Nola, Eickhoff, Lively, Anderson, and Leiter, the Phillies are filled with potential diamonds in the rough. The last few years have been tough for the team, but a rotation filled with potential could turn the team around next year.