7 Phillies Prospects Who May Be Forced into Action Early Due to Injuries

The Philadelphia Phillies seem to be making headlines more for their injured players this spring than for those who have been on the field.

With Ryan Howard set to begin the season on the disabled list, and the recent news of Chase Utley’s injury, the Phillies’ opening day lineup could be missing two crucial names.

This occurs after a 2011 season in which nearly 15 players spent time on the disabled list or experienced some sort of injury.

While the Phillies were able to acquire players capable of playing first base during the offseason, the team has had to make internal adjustments as more players miss time during spring training.

Freddy Galvis may be on pace to open the season as the Phils’ starting second baseman, but he may not be the only Phillies’ prospect forced into early action this season.

Freddy Galvis

Galvis has gone from potentially being the Phils’ starting shortstop to likely spending the season in Triple-A. However, a combination of Utley’s injury and a .273 batting average in spring training has led to Galvis possibly becoming the Phillies’ opening day starter at second base.

Galvis spent time at Double-A and Triple-A last season,while batting a combined .278 between the two levels.

In 33 games at Triple-A, Galvis batted .298 with 36 hits and eight RBI.  Prior to his promotion, Galvis batted .273 with 115 hits, eight home runs and 19 stolen bases in 104 games at Double-A.

His combined .278 average was his highest of any season in his minor league career.

Of Phillies players who have played in at least 15 games during spring training, Galvis has the highest hit total and is tied for the third-highest run total.  He has also struck out just six times in 66 at-bats.

Galvis could wind up becoming the Phillies’ opening day starter at second base until Utley returns.  His play in the meantime could determine his long-term role with the team.

Phillippe Aumont

Aumont had a chance to make the Phillies’ opening day roster out of spring training but was sent to the team’s minor league camp last week. However, with Jose Contreras recovering from injury and appearing in only three games during spring training, Aumont may have a chance to reach the major leagues this season.

Aumont, who was acquired by the Phils in their trade of Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners, had the lowest ERA of his career last season while spending time at Double-A and Triple-A. Aumont had 41 strikeouts and a 2.32 ERA at Double-A before posting a 3.18 ERA with 37 strikeouts at Triple-A.  He also held opponents to a combined .216 batting average between the two levels.

In four games during spring training, Aumont had a 4.50 ERA and four strikeouts in four innings.

The 6’7” right-hander may have more seasoning to do in the minor leagues, but if the Phillies need an injury replacement for their bullpen, Aumont may be the pitcher they choose.

Justin De Fratus

De Fratus is another Phillie who had a chance to make the team’s opening day roster, but an elbow injury has not allowed him to appear in any spring training games so far.

De Fratus made five appearances for the Phils in September last season and had a 2.25 ERA and three strikeouts in four innings.

Prior to his call-up, De Fratus split time between Double-A and Triple-A while posting a combined 2.99 ERA at the two levels. In 28 games at Triple-A, De Fratus struck out 56 batters in 41 innings and had a 3.73 ERA.  He also had 43 strikeouts and a 2.10 ERA in 34.1 innings at Double-A.

De Fratus has also picked up 36 saves over the last two seasons in the minor leagues.

De Fratus may have had a chance of landing a spot in the Phils’ bullpen out of spring training, but an injury on the major league roster, combined with a solid start in the minors, could help him find a spot in the team’s bullpen sooner rather than later.

Joe Savery

Savery made a pitching appearance in at least one game at Single-A, Double-A, Triple-A and in the major leagues last season.  He did not, however, start any of these games, which he did 19 times the previous season.

Oh, and he also batted .307 in 54 games as a position player in Single-A and .200 as one in Double-A.

So where did all of this movement leave Savery?  As a potential left-handed reliever out of the Phillies’ bullpen this season.

Savery struck out two batters, gave up one hit and allowed no earned runs in four games in September with the Phillies.

Prior to his call-up, Savery struck out one batter in one game at Single-A, had a 1.00 ERA and 14 strikeouts at Double-A,and went 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 26 strikeouts at Triple-A.

Savery’s chances of making the Phillies’ opening day roster may have gone up when the team released Dontrelle Willis, who was also competing to be a left-handed option out of the bullpen behind Antonio Bastardo, and when fellow left-handed reliever Jake Diekman was sent to the minor league camp.

Even if he begins the season in the minor leagues, Savery and his eight strikeouts in 6.1 innings during spring training may still have a spot in the Phillies’ bullpen should an injury arise.

Michael Schwimer

Schwimer is another Phillie who was recently sent to the team’s minor league camp, but who also had a chance of making the opening day roster.

After posting a 1.85 ERA at Triple-A last season, Schwimer was called up by the Phils in September and struck out 16 batters in 14.1 innings.

At Triple-A, Schwimer went 9-1 with 86 strikeouts and a 1.85 ERA in 47 games.  His ERA was the lowest of his minor league career.

The 6’8” right-hander went 1-0 in four games during spring training, with five strikeouts and a save in 4.2 innings.

Schwimer also held opponents to a .203 batting average at Triple-A, and held right-handed batters to a .172 batting average in September with the Phils.

Although Schwimer may not be in the Phillies’ bullpen on opening day, an injury on the major league roster could lead to his call-up much sooner than September this season.

Jake Diekman

Diekman pitched in 53 games at Double-A last season and had a chance to make the Phillies’ roster out of spring training prior to the team recently sending him to the minor league camp.

Diekman was added to the Phillies’ 40-man roster following his performances in the Arizona Fall League, and did not give up an earned run during spring training.

In 53 games at Double-A, Diekman struck out 83 batters in 65 innings, and had a 3.05 ERA.  He also held opponents to a .199 batting average.

With a type of side arm delivery, Diekman struck out nine batters in five innings during spring training and did not given up an earned run.  He also issued just one walk while holding opponents to a .118 batting average.

Diekman, along with Joe Savery, may have seen his chances of landing a spot in the Phillies’ bullpen at some point this season increase when the team released Dontrelle Willis.  The left-hander may have been competing to become an option out of the bullpen behind Antonio Bastardo, but an injury could still lead to his call-up after beginning the season in the minor leagues.

Austin Hyatt

Hyatt was sent to the Phillies’ minor league camp after starting the team’s first exhibition game during spring training, but if an injury occurs to the starting rotation, he could find himself in the major leagues.

Hyatt went 12-6 with 171 strikeouts and a 3.85 ERA at Double-A last season.  Over the past two seasons combined, Hyatt has gone 24-11 in 53 starts between Single-A and Double-A, with a 3.59 ERA and 352 strikeouts.

Besides the team’s first exhibition game, Hyatt pitched five innings for the Phillies during spring training.

Hyatt has held opponents to a combined .204 batting average during his last three seasons in the minor leagues.

Kyle Kendrick may have the early lead for claiming a spot in the Phillies’ starting rotation, but Hyatt, a right-hander, could be called up should the team need further depth or prefer Kendrick as a long-relief option out of the bullpen.