Prospect Nation 2012: #13 RHP Michael Schwimer
Posted by Jay Floyd, Mon, February 13, 2012 11:58 AM | Comments: 10
2012 Top 25 Prospects, IronPigs, Minor Leagues, Posts, Prospecting
Righty hurler Michael Schwimer had another great minor league season in 2011 and earned a spot on the big league roster. With nothing left to prove in the developmental ranks, Schwimer will get a considerable look in spring training with the Phillies this year.
Selected in the 14th round of the 2008 draft, Schwimer signed quickly and made his pro debut with short-season Williamsport, posting a 1.96 ERA in 22 relief outings. A year later, Schwimer skipped Class A Lakewood and began his 2009 season at Class A Advanced Clearwater, where he went 2-1 with 20 saves and a 2.85 ERA in 48 games. He earned a promotion to Reading, of the Double A Eastern League, by season’s end.
The Virginia native, who will turn 26-years-old next week, began the 2010 season back with Reading where he posted a 5-3 record with 11 saves, a 3.60 ERA and a .225 batting average against in 32 appearances. After a July promotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Schwimer continued posting remarkable numbers, going 2-2 with a 1.35 ERA with a .213 batting average against.
Schwimer had another excellent season in 2011, eventually earning a spot on the big league roster in August. En route to becoming an All-Star with the IronPigs last year, the 6-foot-8-inch 240-pounder dominated the International League, going 9-1 with 10 saves, a 1.85 ERA and a .203 batting average against in 47 relief appearances.
After his promotion to Philadelphia, the University of Virginia product looked respectable, but struggled considerably at home. In 5 games at Citizens Bank Park, Schwimer sported a 10.80 ERA. Conversely, on the road, Schwimer was strong, holding down a 1.93 ERA in 7 games.
In his four seasons in the minors, Schwimer has posted 313 strike outs in 234 innings (12.04 K/9), building a reputation as a whiff artist.
Schwimer is a talented reliever with a firm focus on the mental side of the game. He anticipates what the thought process of the opposing batter might be in each at bat, and for each scenario, and is able to stay a step ahead far more often than not.
With a repertoire that includes a fastball that ranges from 92-94 MPH, a plus slider and a solid change up, Schwimer stands to be a pitcher the Phillies will count on in 2012 when openings in the bullpen arise due to injuries or other reasons.
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2012 Prospect countdown index can be found HERE.
Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider. You can check out more from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.
Posts: 1056 Manny
I saw his debut in DC and even though he looked a little shabby at first, he recomposed and proceeded to dominate the Nats lineup; lots of strikes and strikeouts if I remember correctly… Three strikeouts in a row, or something like that.
Posted: 01:23 PM on February 13, 2012
Posts: 1056 Manny
“Aside from a solo shot to Espinosa, Schwimmer was excellent. The 6’8″ rookie struck out four batters over three innings of work; in Triple-A, Schwimmer only pitched more than two innings three times.”
http://www.buzzonbroad.com/2011/08/phils-lose-late.html
That was the game that Lidge lost with a walk-off hit-by-pitch. Ugh.
Posted: 01:26 PM on February 13, 2012
Posts: 1079 EricL
The solo shot was crushed to right center, as I recall, as Schwimmer pointed skyward as if it were some kind of pop-up to right that the fielders needed help corralling. He did that a few times, if I remember correctly. I hope he spent his winter working on keeping his pointer-finger down on bombs. It’s kind of embarrassing. lol
Posted: 03:40 PM on February 13, 2012
Posts: 1056 Manny
Lol. That was also Espinosa’s little breakthrough moment. He killed us that day.
Posted: 04:14 PM on February 13, 2012
Posts: 1056 Manny
Actually, he killed us all year.
.313 avg, 1.080 OPS in 64 at bats
Posted: 04:17 PM on February 13, 2012
Posts: 3479 Lefty
I saw Oswalt do that many times as well. They need to get these guys some 3-D glasses I guess.
Posted: 07:43 PM on February 13, 2012
Posts: 0 delearyous
Schwim at #13?
I don’t understand how this guy isn’t in the top 5.
Posted: 04:55 PM on February 13, 2012
Posts: 239 Jay Floyd
Because he’s 26 years old when ST starts, delearyous.
Posted: 06:22 PM on February 13, 2012
Posts: 239 Jay Floyd
Schwim was definitely one of my favorite interviews from last year. He’s very pleasant, very bright, very goal oriented and very real. With guys like Qualls and Sanches added to the mix, he may be blocked…which sucks for all these young guys on the verge of being qualified bullpen contributors.
Posted: 06:08 PM on February 13, 2012
Posts: 0 George
If he’s as good in ST as everyone thinks he is, he won’t be blocked by Sanches. Maybe by Qualls, but he’ll certainly get just as much a chance as Herndon, Stutes and all the rest of the young guys.
Posted: 08:01 PM on February 13, 2012