Year in Review: The Bullpen
Even though the hot stove is burning down in Florida, we’re still continuing our Year in Review. Only a few left as we get to the end of the pitching staff. Up next are Chad Durbin and Jose Contreras.
The group we’ll take a look at today was little used and not a huge part of the equation for 2010. Here are the bullpen guys that found their way onto the major league roster at some point this year. Their grades are a combination of the minors and majors.
SCOTT MATHIESON
-For years Scott Mathieson has been on the radar as an up-and-coming arm that could potential pay dividends in the back of the bullpen. That hasn’t happened yet, but Mathieson did get his feet wet in the major leagues again after missing time following his second Tommy John surgery.
In two appearances, the flamethrower did little to prove his worth and was sent back down to the minors where he flourished all season. In those two games with the Phillies, he gave up three runs and five hits over 1 2/3 innings. Clearly not a sample size worth going nuts over. Pitching for Triple-A, Mathieson saved 26 games and appeared in 54 of them, posting a 2.80 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.
He’ll certainly have a shot to translate those minor league numbers to the majors starting in February during Spring Training. Many hope he can become a staple in this bullpen as he not only has the talent, but a back-story that people can root for.
GRADE: 7.3/10 – Looked great in LV but in a short stint with the big boys failed to take the next step. There’s still time for him.
MIKE ZAGURSKI
-A run per game isn’t going to turn heads, but that’s what lefty Mike Zagurski did when he arrived to the Phillies in 2010. In eight games he gave up eight runs over seven innings. He was another one who looked overmatched at the highest level, however, there is still room for him to evolve into a nice left-handed reliever in the majors. The question is, will he get that opportunity here?
In the minors, Zagurski was solid over 52 1/3 innings coming away with a 3.26 ERA. He struck out 71 while walking 27, a decent ratio for a lefty.
Zagurski will also get the chance to prove he belongs in Philadelphia and not in the minors for another season. Still, he had a shot of turning some heads in his short stint in ’10 and failed to wow anyone.
GRADE: 5.9/10 – Last season was great for club depth, but not sure if he fits into the plans of the major league team.
ANDREW CARPENTER
Carpenter is seen as a back-of-the-rotation type of arm and was decent as such in Lehigh Valley In his one major league appearance this year, he was used in mop-up duty in a blowout against the Cardinals. His line: three innings, five hits, three runs, no walks, two strikeouts. Nothing special about it, really. Carpenter is still relatively young at 25, so the Phillies will keep him in the farm system and hope he pans out in some way, shape, or form. For next year, it looks like another trip to Lehigh Valley with a crowded rotation in Philly.
GRADE: 5.1/10 – Was a middle of the road guy in LV and will continue to be until he can prove he can retire major league hitters.
NATE ROBERTSON
Didn’t forget about this guy, did you? How could you? One of his two appearances was so atrocious Robertson failed to find another job in baseball after it. The Phillies added him after he was let go by Florida for some added depth in the organization.
On September 8, Robertson was utilized in the middle of a pennant chase and completely flopped, allowing six runs and four hits in just two-thirds of an inning. The Phillies ended up winning the game over the Marlins but Robertson was never heard from again.
GRADE: 0/10 – Robertson did little in LV or PHI and had one game that was so terrible it’s unforgettable. That shouldn’t happen in one inning of major league work.
VANCE WORLEY
He too had just a taste of the major leagues in 2010, yet made the most of it. Unlike some of the others, Worley was actually quite good. He saw the light of day five times this year, two starts, and kept his ERA low. Try 1.38 low with a WHIP below one. Again, a small sample size, but a head-turning line over those five games.
Worley was awesome in his two starts, one of which came in the middle of the NL East chase. On September 6 in Game One of a doubleheader, Worley held the Marlins to two runs over five innings and with those trademark glasses became an instant fan favorite.
You’ll be hearing a lot more about Worley as we get closer to Spring Training. He’s very much in the running for the fifth starter spot next season.
GRADE: 8/10 – Between his excellent stats in both Double-A and Triple-A, Worley receives high marks for making a great leap in 2010.
