Categories: 2020 Season Preview

Phillies Nation 2020 Season Preview: Jake Arrieta

The 2020 regular season is scheduled to begin in late July, which means it’s finally time to talk some baseball! To prepare you for the season, Phillies Nation will be taking an in-depth look at all of your favorite players. Here’s a review of Jake Arrieta’s 2019 season as well as what to expect from the Phillies starting pitcher in 2020.

2019 Stats: 135.3 IP, 24 GS, 8-8, 4.64 ERA, 4.89 FIP, 1.474 WHIP, 9.9 H/9, 1.4 HR/9, 3.4 BB/9, 7.3 K/9, 1.1 fWAR

2019 Season in Review

Jake Arrieta had a below-average 2019 season. Almost all of his stats were trending in the wrong direction. His performance in 2019, the second year of a 3-year, $75 million contract, made many believe he is being overpaid for the results he is turning in.

Jake Arrieta is in the last year of a three-year deal with the Phillies. (Cheryl Pursell)

However, his performance in 2019 could have mostly been attributed to an injury in his right elbow. The bone spur he had on his elbow was becoming increasingly painful as the season went on and was finally revealed to the public after a particularly bad outing against the New York Mets in mid-July.

During the game, Arrieta allowed five earned runs on 11 hits. He hit three batters throughout the game, receiving a warning after the second because it started an argument between Arrieta and Todd Frazier. After hitting the third batter, Arrieta was not ejected; although, if he had it might have saved the game for the Phillies. The next batter, catcher Tomas Nido, ripped a double that cleared the bases and gave the Mets the extra run they needed to beat the Phillies 6-5.

Afterward, it was revealed that Arrieta was battling injury. He kept battling through it until Aug. 14 when he decided to get seasoning-ending surgery on his bone spur.

2020 Season Preview

There is not much controversy around where Jake Arrieta fits in the Phillies 2020 starting rotation. He will be the third in the rotation, the only question being whether or not he could move up to the second spot if Zack Wheeler decides he wants to sit this season out.

What everyone wants to see this season is whether or not he will live up to his contract. He has only been able to play one full season with the Phillies and he will have little room to make up for lost time this season.

If the injury was the root of his problem, then this year we can hope that Arrieta can return to his Cy Young and World Series winning form in this season. For people to think he is worth it, Arrieta needs to help lead the Phillies to the playoffs this season.

Needless to say, stellar performances by Arrieta will be one of many factors necessary for the Phillies to make something of this strange season. Will he finally live up to expectations? We will find out soon.

Check out our other 2020 season previews