Phillies pitchers pharm report

This pharm report will review the winter league play of the top Phillies pitching prospects. Many of these pitchers will be fighting for the final spot in the Phillies bullpen or will get called up during the season. For the sake of brevity this review only covers Phillies prospects that are currently in competition for making the team.

Joseph Bisenius:
Bisenius had a tremendous season in 2006 spending time at Clearwater and Reading. Due to his success the Phillies choose to send him to play in the American Fall League. Bisenius struggled in the AFL pitching only 4.2 innings with a stinky 11.57 ERA. Bisenius then moved on to Venezuelan Winter League and brought the bad with him throwing 10.2 innings with 5.06 ERA. Bisenius does have a shot; Pat Gillick has commented that he was a “dark horse candidate” for the final bullpen spot.

Eude Brito:
Brito has been in the Phillies Minor League system quite a few seasons pushing the definition of prospect. He did have a good season last year at AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre throwing 147.2 innings with a solid 3.17 ERA. Pitching with the Azucareros del Este he has been even better pitching 18.2 with a spectacular .96 ERA. Brito probably has the inside track on making the opening day roster. He could serve as a second lefty and he is versatile enough that Charlie Manuel could stretch him out over a few innings in a pinch.

Anderson Garcia:
Garcia was a waiver wire pick up from the Baltimore Orioles and has spent his entire career in the Minor Leagues. While playing for the Estrellas de Oriente he has pitched only 2 innings with a 4.50 ERA. Garcia must have a strong spring training to make the Phillies roster.

Fabio Castro:
Castro a Rule Five Draft pick form a year ago spent most of the season languishing out in the bullpen and pitching sporadically in blowouts. Castro is currently playing for the Gigantes Del Cibao in the Dominican Winter League pitching 18.2 innings with a sparkling 2.41 ERA. Castro a lefty has a good chance at making the team because Matt Smith is currently the only left-hander on the roster. In the past Castro has had control issues and many in the Phils believe he might benefit from more Minor League service.

Jim Ed Warden:
Warden was a Rule Five Draft pick taken from the Cleveland Indians. This off-season he has been playing for the Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican Winter League. Warden has been pitching well throwing 8.2 innings with 4.15 ERA. Warden will have to pitch better than that to stick with the Phillies. If he doesn’t make the roster out of spring training he will have to be offered back to the Indians because he is a Rule Five pick.

Alfredo Simon:
Simon is another Phillies Rule Five Draft Pick. Simon has been pitching exceptionally well in the Dominican Winter League. The hard throwing righty has pitched 31.1 innings with a snappy 1.72 ERA. Simon similar to Warden will have to make the team or be offered back to the San Francisco Giants.

Sources:
Ruiz Thriving in Winter Ball Playoffs
By Benjamin Hill / Special to MLB.com

Picture of Joseph Bisenius from scout.com, picture of Fabio Castro from MLB.com