Philadelphia Phillies Starting Pitcher Analysis

With pitchers and catchers due to report to camp later this week, I wanted to profile  the Philadelphia Phillies and their chances of repeating as World Champions. I will lead with the starting pitching staff, and then move onto the bullpen, batting order and team defense in subsequent articles.

The Phillies received excellent starting pitching in their march through the playoffs last year, culminating in their second World Championship in their 126 year history. With  Cole Hamels winning the National League Championship Series as well as World Series MVP's.

Cole Hamels pitched well during the 2008 season finishing with a 14-10 record with a 3.09 ERA in his third season in the majors, but in the playoffs he took his game to another level.

I look for him to continue his maturation and approach 20 wins in 2009. Hamels was drafted in the first round of the 2002 draft. He is a home grown staff ace and future Cy Young winner, and the Phillies just signed him to a long term deal to keep him in Philadelphia.

Brett Myers will be next in the rotation. The starter turned closer then back to starter had an average season last year finishing 10-13 with 4.55 ERA in his first year back in the rotation. He will have his difficulties as he gives up an average of 30 HRs allowed during his last four years as a starting pitcher, but with the Phillies run support he should approach 15 wins in the upcoming season.

Joe Blanton will be next in the rotation. Blanton was acquired from the Oakland A's on July 17 last year. He has still not lost since putting on a Phillie uniform going a combined 6-0 with a sub 4.00 ERA including playoffs last year. He pitched well but had eight no decisions in his first nine starts with the Phils.

Blanton was also drafted in the first round of the 2002 draft by Oakland seven picks after Cole Hamels. Blanton came over and fit right in, so I look for continued success in 2009, he will finally lose a game but I see him as a 13-15 game winner in the upcoming season.

Then the ageless one, 46 year old Jaime Moyer. He had a great season last year 16-7 3.71 ERA, it was the first time that he had an ERA below 4.00 in six seasons. Moyer is a crafty veteran lefty who's fastball seldom reaches the low 80s on the gun.

He baffles players half his age with superior location and changes speed using the same motion with his fastball slider and change up. He should slow down in 2009 but his win total should still be in double digits as will his losses. Moyer signed a two year deal with the Phillies over the winter.

The fifth spot in the rotation is up for grabs. The candidates are Kyle Kendrick who was a rookie sensation in 2007 helping the Phillies to the playoffs, then in his second season pitching poorly and finally being sent back to the minors. Although he is not as good as he was in 2007 or as poor as he was in 2008 he is a serviceable No. 5 starter.

Next we have Chan Ho Park who the Phillies signed over the winter. Park has only started 6 games in the last two years and has been used mostly as a relief pitcher. He signed with the Phillies because he wants to become a starter again.

J.A. Happ is another pitcher vying for the fifth spot. He pitched well in his four starts in 2008 pitching at least six innings in three of the four. Another year in the minors should better prepare Happ for a rotation spot in 2010.

Finally Carlos Carrasco a 22 year old minor leaguer with star potential. He needs more seasoning a full year at AAA will help with his development. He will probably have to wait until 2011 when Moyer retires.

My choice to win the battle for the fifth starter spot is Kyle Kendrick with Park in the bullpen and Happ and Carrasco in AAA.

Summing it all up, this rotation should be able to pitch well enough for the Phillies to make the playoffs for the third year in a row. My prediction is 97-65. I can easily see the Phillies repeating as "World Effin Champions" to borrow a quote from Chase Utley.