The 2016 Phillies: Pitching Staff

I hope you enjoyed the first part of the series as I looked what the Phillies lineup might look like in 3 years. Today I'll take a look a the 2016 staff. Early in the spring, the Phillies are already showing signs of transitioning to the future as Hamels is the faovirite to start Opening Day. The Phillies system is not stacked with postion players but it has plenty of arms who could be in the major's soon. 

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Cole Hamels is the only Phillies pitcher who is currently under contract for the 2016 season. Fellow Ace Cliff Lee has an option for $25 million but it does have a large 10 mil buyout. Its hard to try to guess the pitcher Lee will be, but for the sake of the argument. I will say they don't pick up that option for 2016. 

(denotes age at the start of the 2016 season)

check out part one of the series

Starting Rotation

1. Cole Hamels LHP (32)

Cole will be in his 4th season of the 6 year deal he signed last season. He will likely be the team’s Opening Day Starter this season and should get that honor for the duration his contract. Hamels should still be in his prime in 2016 as he will just be 32 years old.  

2. Jesse Biddle LHP (24)

The Phillies took the Germantown Friends High School product in the 1st round of the 2010 entry draft and his has since climbed his way to the top of the Phillies prospect ladder. Biddle is the consensus top prospect in the organization and was named one of the top 100 prospects in baseball by both Baseball America and MLB.com. Last season at Clearwater (High A), he had a 3.22 ERA and a 9.5 K/9. The 21 year old lefty has drawn comparisons to Andy Pettitte and projects as a middle to possibly top of the rotation pitcher

3. Adam Morgan LHP (25)

Morgan made great strides last season as he went from finishing the season in 2011 at Short Season Williamsport to ending 2012 with AA Reading. The 3rd Round pick in the 2011 pick out of the University of Alabama had a 3.35 ERA and 9.6 K/9 between Clearwater and Reading last season. He has ranked anywhere from 2 to 7 on top ten Phillies prospects list. Morgan’s excellent control and command make him a safe bet for middle of rotation pitcher for the Phillies but if he makes the same strides he did in 2012. Watch out!

4. Ethan Martin RHP (26)

The Phillies acquired Martin from the Dodgers in the Shane Victorino deal last July. The former 1st round pick was pitched great at his time at Reading for the Phillies; he went 5-0 with a 3.18 ERA and 7.9 K/9. Martin may be one of the most polarizing prospects in the Phillies system as many experts thought he was destined for the pen due to his poor command. But in his time with the Phillies last year he showed he belonged in the rotation. If Martin’s control improves, he is likely a middle of the rotation pitcher but if not, he may be sent to the Pen. 

5. Jonathan Pettibone RHP (26)

Pettibone is probably the most polished and MLB ready of any of the young pitchers in the Phillies system. He doesn’t have the high ceiling as the other 3 guys on this list but he may be the safest pick to be a part of the 2016 rotation. The 23 year old is not a strikeout pitcher but his solid command gives a future in the big leagues. Last season between Reading and Lehigh Valley, he had a 3.10 ERA (2.5 at AAA) and 6.4 K/9. A strong spring could make Pettibone the 1st pitcher called up by the Phillies if they have a injury in the rotation. 

BullPen

CL: Philippe Aumount RHP (27)

Amount was the major piece in the Cliff Lee deal and made his major league debut last season with the Phillies. He pitched a lot of big innings for the Phillies as Charlie was forced to use the young righty in the 8th inning at the end of the sesaon. Aumont more than held his own as he posted a 3.68 ERA and 8.6 K/9 in 14.2 last season with the Phillies. The massive 6'7" Candaian throws a heavy fastball that touches the upper 90's. You add a sharp breaking cureball and it can be unfair at times. His pure "stuff" is as good as any young reliever in the game. If he can command his pitches, he should be at the back end of the Phillies bullpen for years to come. 

SU: Justin De Fratus RHP (28)

De Fratus is another flame thrower the Phillies will have at there disposal. Like Aumont, he was relied upon to get key outs at a young age. In 10.2 innings last season, he had a 3.38 ERA and 6.8 K/9. His fastball sits in the mid 90's and has touched 98 at times. He posses a sweeping slider and a change up. De Fratus has back of the pen sutff and should challange Aumont for the closers job in the future. But regardless, the Phillies have a nice 8-9 inning guys once Adams and Pap's move on. 

Jake Dikeman LHP (29)
The lanky lefty's throwing angle and his blazing fastball makes him a nightmare for left handed hitters. He was a plesent suprise last spring and eventually was forced into action for the big league team because of numerous injuries in the pen. In 27.1 innings he had a 3.95 ERA and an amaing 11.5 K/9. He enters spring as a candiate to start the season in the big leagues and should have an impact on the 2013 Phillies. 

Jeremy Horst LHP (30)
Horst was aquired from the Reds last offseason for Utility Man/Relief Pitcher Wilson Valdez. He had a nice spring and prooved himself very worthy last seaon with the Phillies. Horst may not have the overpowering fastball like fellow lefty Jake Diekman, but he has better command. Last season in 31.1 innings, he had a 1.15 ERA and also posted 11.2 K/9. Horst looks to have the inside track at the team's 2nd lefty at the start of spring this sesaon. 

Michael Stutes RHP (29)
Stutes stormed onto the Philedphia scene in 2011 as injuries forced him and Bastardo to get big outs at the begining of the 2011 season. Last season a sholder injury sent him to the DL and eventully ended his season. He enters the spring this season fighting for a roster spot. His 2013 spring hasn't started of well as he allowed 2 ER in 1 IP so far. 

Kyle Simon RHP(25)
Simon is another player the Phillies have acquired via trade recently. The 22 year old reliever was sent from the Orioles to the Phillies with Gabrial Lino for Jime Thome. In 25.1 innings at Reading last season he posted a 1.42 ERA and 7.5 K/9. 

Kenny Giles RHP (25)
Giles is probably the most under the radar player on this projection. But its hard to ignore a guy who can touch tripe digit's on the radar gun. He ended last season at Clearwater and posted a 15.2 K/9. Scott Mathison was a prime example that a 100 MPH fastball doesn't always translate to Major League sucess. If Giles can continue to devolop his offspead stuff, he should be a nice piece for the Phillies. 

Scott Glick

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