While Adam Eaton was serving up homers to the Rockies last night (more on that later), Andrew Carpenter was pitching single-A Clearwater to the Florida State League championship.Never heard of Carpenter?
You will.
Carpenter, a 22-year-old right-hander from Cal State Long Beach, was the Phillies' second-round pick last June. In his first full pro season, he went 17-6 with a 3.20 ERA in 27 games (24 starts) for Clearwater, then went 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA in the playoffs. Last night, he allowed two runs in 6-1/3 innings against Brevard County (Brewers) to clinch Clearwater's first FSL crown since 1993. In his last 12 starts, including the postseason, Carpenter was 10-1 with a 2.41 ERA.
Pretty impressive, no?
Later today, I'll try to catch up with assistant GM Mike Arbuckle and/or farm director Steve Noworyta to get more details on Carpenter. Just guessing, but he'll probably get some attention in spring training next year. And, if he keeps progressing at such a rapid rate, maybe you'll see him in Philly by next September.
Some other players at Clearwater who are worth watching: catcher Lou Marson (.288, seven homers, 63 RBIs), center fielder Greg Golson (.285, 12 homers, 52 RBIs, 25 steals), shortstop Jason Donald (.300, eight homers, 41 RBIs), second baseman Brad Harman (.281, 13 homers, 62 RBIs), outfielder Jeremy Slayden (.287, 14 homers, 73 RBIs), right-handers Zac Stott (7-8, 3.85) and Patrick Overholt (4-6, 3.82) and lefty Josh Outman (10-4, 2.45). Overholt and Outman were promoted to double-A Reading late in the season.
*
Big day for Cole Hamels. He'll throw off a mound today for the first time since his Aug. 31 setback in the bullpen. Want to bet everyone in the Phillies organization will have their fingers crossed?
*
So, Eaton gave up three more homers, and the Phillies got blown out, 8-2, by the Rockies.Ho-hum.
Eaton, who signed a three-year, $24.5 million contract in November and replaced Randy Wolf in the Phils' starting rotation, has been lousy for most of the season. He hasn't won since July 20 at San Diego and has had one quality start (minimum six innings, maximum three runs) in his last 13 outings. His ERA, a bloated 6.31, is the worst among NL starters. In his last 13 starts, he's 2-5 with a 7.47 ERA.
About the best thing you can say for Eaton is that he admits he's been bad.
"Obviously, a 6 ERA is not the norm for me," he said after surrendering home runs to Troy Tulowitzski, Todd Helton and Matt Holliday. "If I was winning games with a 6 ERA, it would be a little different."
Eaton is slated to pitch Sunday at Shea Stadium, where he's 4-0 with a 1.98 ERA in four career starts (2-0 with a 2.77 ERA this season). But, after that, what? Can the Phillies really continue to send him to the mound every fifth day when a wild-card spot is hanging in the balance?
Problem is, Charlie Manuel doesn't have anyone better.
So, it seems, Eaton will continue pitching. And, if the Phillies will make the playoffs for the first time since 1993, he'll have to pitch better than this.
4 comments:
Eaton is living, breathing evidence that Pat Gillick no longer has it as a GM.
Any chance we re-aquire Randy Wolf in the offseason?
Anonymous: No question, Gillick looks bad with the Eaton contract. Remember one thing, though: His first choice was re-signing Randy Wolf. When Wolf went to LA, Gillick knew he needed to do something. And trading for Freddy Garcia didn't happen for another week after he'd already gotten Eaton.
Andrew: There's a decent chance. It really depends on how confident they are that Wolf can bounce back from his shoulder injury. The Dodgers won't pick up their $9 million option on Wolf's contract. No matter who signs Wolf, it will be a low-base, incentive-laden contract. Is he worth the risk? Sounds like a question for The Blog once the season ends. Let's revisit this in October, OK?
As for Carpenter, you didn't mention that he threw a 7 inning perfect game this year. Apparently he doesn't have any one dominating pitch, but just "knows how to pitch".I can see him starting at Reading next year along with Carrasco and Outman, and hopefully one or two of them moving quickly to Allentown and then to Philly by the end of next year.
Post a Comment