Five For Fighting: Profiling the Battle for the Fifth Rotation Spot

The Phillies and Mets (of all teams) have a similar problem that has to be addressed. Both teams' No. 5 starting spot is up for grabs. As Richard Marsh explained in his slide-show about the New York Mets' rotation issue, the Philadelphia Phillies have one of their own that has to be addressed.

As of right now, it is a four man slugfest for the fifth starting spot between rookie and top prospect Carlos Carrasco, second-year lefty J.A. Happ, third-year righty Kyle Kendrick, and veteran right-hander Chan Ho Park. Subpar veteran right-hander Adam Eaton has been "eliminated" from the running due to his subpar performance throughout his tenure in Philadelphia, going 14-18 in two seasons.

The fifth starting spot has always been a problem for the Phillies.

During the 2008 season, the Phillies used a number of different pitchers down the stretch when Kendrick ran out of gas and Eaton just imploded.

Onward to the pitchers fighting for that coveted fifth spot.

Kyle Kendrick

In the green corner: Kyle is returning from a season which featured both his high and low points. Late in the season, he was removed from the rotation due to a number of problems. The 2008 season saw him have a career high in wins, but a career high in losses, ERA, walks, etc.

2008 Season:

11-9, 5.49 ERA, 68 SO, 52 BB in 31 games, 30 of which he started with 155.2 Innings Pitched.

Career:

21-13, 4.78 ERA, 117 SO, 82 BB in 51 games, 50 of which he started with 276.2 Innings Pitched

Keys to regaining the fifth starting spot: Show he can command his slider, show he's willing to use his changeup and show that he can get left-handed hitters out better. Has to regain his confidence, throw his changeup more and show the Phillies that he is every bit as capable of being a consistent winner like he was in 2007 and early in '08.

James Anthony (J.A.) Happ

In the red corner: J.A. (pronounced: JAY) Happ got his first career win last season. The Phillies won the four games he started, including two games against the Braves in September, when Happ replaced Kendrick in the rotation. Happ proved he can compete in critical situations. He finished strong. He made the postseason roster. So he enters Spring Training with plenty of people feeling good about him.

2008 Season

1-0, 3.69 ERA, 26 SO, 14 BB, 31.2 IP in eight games, four of which he started.

Career

1-1, 4.54 ERA, 31 SO, 16 BB, 35.2 IP in nine games, five of which he started.

Keys to earning the fifth starting spot: Outshine all other candidates for the job. 

Chan Ho Park

In the blue corner: Park came here to Philadelphia to do one thing—start. I don't think he expected there to be competition for the fifth starter's job, though. In 280 career starts, Park is 112-85. And last season went 4-4 in 54 appearances, going 1-0 in four starts. But since the 2001 season Park has gone 34-34, 5.48 ERA in 104 starts with L.A.

2008 Season with Los Angeles Dodgers

4-4, 3.40 ERA, 95.1 IP, 79 SO, 39 BB, 2 SV out of 5 SVO in 54 games, five of which he started.

Career

117-94, 4.34 ERA, 1590 SO, 858 BB, 1846.0 IP, 2 SV, in 378 games, 280 of which he started.

Keys to earning the fifth starting spot: Prove that veteran know-how is better than youth; as an accomplished starter user the experience to earn the spot.

Carlos Carrasco

And finally in this corner, the Phillies' top minor-league pitching prospect. He will be pitching most likely for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. He is highly touted, and looks forward to breaking into the rotation sometime soon.

2008 Season in Minors

7-7, 4.32 ERA at AA Reading; 2-2, 1.72 ERA at AAA Lehigh Valley; 3-0, 2.11 in 11 starts in a Venezuelan Winter League.

Minors Career

27-20, 3.93 ERA, 510 SO, 240 BB, 581.1 IP in 108 Games, 103 of which he started.

Keys to earning the fifth spot: Prove the hype about you is right. Don't expect anything other than most likely a full year at AAA. But be ready if none of the other three don't perform. Show unbelievable poise for someone at his age (21).

Let the fight begin. Let the debating begin.

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