What We've Learned About Each Phillies Rotation Candidate

For a team that had one of the major league’s best starting rotations last season, the Philadelphia Phillies still decided to enter camp with a surplus of starting pitching.

Some of the starting pitchers originally in the major league camp, such as Joel Pineiro and Dave Bush, have either been released or sent to the minor league camp, while others, such as Kyle Kendrick, are grabbing the attention of scouts.

The Phillies entered spring training with their starting rotation already in place, but early performances may give the team flexibility when it comes to trading for lineup upgrades or salary relief.

With injuries already mounting up, the Phillies may have to rely on their rotation even more this season.

Roy Halladay

What we’ve learned: The older you get, the longer it takes to get ready.

Halladay currently has a spring training ERA that is over three times his career ERA.

The good news is that it’s only spring training.

Halladay, who went 19-6 with 220 strikeouts and a 2.35 ERA last season, has an ERA over 10.50 through three spring training starts. His velocity has also decreased this spring, although Halladay has been focusing on off-speed pitches.

However, Halladay has also pointed out that at this point in his career, it takes a little longer to get ready. The career 188-game winner threw over 230 innings last season and has not thrown less than 220 innings in a season since 2005. For his career, Halladay has thrown over 2,530 innings.

While his early results do not resemble the regular season performances that he’s turned in over the past two seasons, few doubt that Halladay will be able to return to regular season form by the start of the season.

Cliff Lee

What we’ve learned: Pitch location is the early focus.

Lee has walked two batters in three spring training starts, but has stated that his location was not precise.

Lee went 17-8 with 238 strikeouts and a 2.40 ERA last season while holding opponents to a .229 batting average. However, opponents are batting .333 against him so far in spring training.

In three spring training starts, Lee has struck out nine batters in 9.2 innings while giving up 13 hits, including three home runs. His nine strikeouts put him third among pitchers who have made at least one start for the Phils behind Roy Halladay and Vance Worley.

Lee is another Phillie who threw over 230 innings last season and has thrown over 1,600 in his career.

Similar to Halladay, a high ERA in spring training is not guaranteed to continue on to the regular season.

Cole Hamels

What we’ve learned: Contract status doesn’t seem to be affecting him.

Prior to his most recent start, Hamels had given up two earned runs in three spring training starts. He still has not walked a batter in four starts.

Hamels, who went 14-9 with 194 strikeouts and a 2.79 ERA last season, has seven strikeouts in 14 innings during spring training.

Prior to his last start, Hamels had given up 11 hits and two earned runs in three starts. He currently joins Kyle Kendrick and Vance Worley as the only Phillies pitchers to have started at least one game and not given up a home run so far in spring training.

Hamels and the Phils avoided arbitration when they agreed to a one-year, $15 million contract during the offseason, and both sides hope a long-term deal is reached.

In the meantime, Hamels has been one of the Phils’ most dominant starting pitchers during spring training.

Vance Worley

What we’ve learned: Sophomore slumps are not mandatory.

Worley, who finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting, was considered to be in jeopardy of regressing after going 11-3 with 119 strikeouts and a 3.01 ERA last season.

So far, a sophomore slump has not affected him.

In three spring training starts, Worley has struck out 11 batters in 10 innings and allowed two earned runs. He also has a 1.80 ERA and has held opponents to a .237 batting average.

Of the Phils’ five projected starters, Worley has the lowest ERA, highest strikeout total and fewest number of runs allowed during spring training.

Worley struck out eight batters in four innings in his second spring training start.

While these types of performances may not be indicative of what is to come during the regular season, any performances similar to those of last season may erase any doubts about Worley experiencing a sophomore slump.

Joe Blanton

What we’ve learned: He may pitch well this season. He just may not pitch for the Phillies.

Blanton, who made eight starts for the Phils last season, has walked just one batter in three spring training starts.

He has also attempted to solidify his spot in the Phils rotation while various scouts observe his return from injury should a trade proposal be made.

Blanton has struck out eight batters in 10 innings during spring training and has given up three earned runs.

However, with the Phillies’ payroll near the luxury tax threshold, impending free agents seeking long-term deals and possible midseason trades, Blanton and his $8.5 million contract this season may be traded.

Whether Blanton pitches for the Phils or a different team this season, he may prove that he is healthy and a solid rotation candidate.

Kyle Kendrick

What we’ve learned: The cutter is working.

Kendrick began spring training as the Phillies’ long-relief option out of the bullpen and a spot-starter.

He may be on his way to winning a spot in the starting rotation.

After finishing last season with a record of 8-6 between the starting rotation and bullpen, as well as 59 strikeouts and a 3.22 ERA, Kendrick has struck out nine batters in 8.1 innings during spring training.

In three spring training games, Kendrick has not given up an earned run, has allowed four hits and has held opponents to a .143 batting average.

And it may be in part to his continued success with his cutter. Kendrick has given up one hit to left-handed batters and has held them to an .083 batting average during spring training.

Kendrick may begin the regular season in the bullpen, but if the Phils trade Joe Blanton, he may make his way into the starting rotation.

Scott Elarton

What we’ve learned: Whether with the Phillies or at Triple-A, he may have a chance to be back in baseball this season.

Elarton may have difficulty finding a spot in the Phillies rotation or bullpen, but a spot in Triple-A is not out of the question.

Elarton, who has not pitched in the major leagues since 2008, has appeared in four games for the Phillies during spring training, including one start.

The 36-year-old has struck out nine batters in 10.1 innings during spring training and has held opponents to a .216 batting average.

In one appearance during spring training, Elarton recorded outs on 12-consecutive batters.

Elarton may have difficulty making the Phils’ starting rotation, but a spot in Triple-A and possible call-up are not out of the question.