5th Starter Battle Heats Up

Written by: Josh Landsburg on 11th March 2009

5th Starter Battle Heats Up | read this item

So now that you have read my three part story about the fifth spot in the starting rotation for the Phillies, you know how I feel. I think J.A. Haap deserves to win this spot, and he certainly has put up the numbers in spring training so far that would make him worthy. Here is a look at all four pitchers lines from the past week, as well as their overall numbers this spring in parenthesis:

RHP Kyle Kendrick: 3 IP, 10 H, 8 R (8 ER), 2 SO, 1 BB against the Atlanta Braves (1-1, 14.29 ERA, 2 G (2 Started), 5.2 IP, 14 H, 9 R (9 ER), 2 SO, 1 BB).

LHP J.A. Haap: 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, and 7 SO on Saturday, March 7th against the Detroit Tigers (0-0, 2.25 ERA, 3 G (1 Started), 8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R (2 ER), 8 SO, 1 BB).

RHP Carlos Carrasco: 2 IP, 5 R (3 ER), and 6 H on Sunday, March 8th against the Atlanta Braves (1-1, 7.71 ERA, 3 G (1 Started), 7 IP, 9 H, 10 R (6 ER), 6 SO, 1 BB).

RHP Chan Ho Park: 4 IP, 1 R (1 ER), 3 H, and 4 SO on Friday, March 6th against the Toronto Blue Jays (1-0, 2.57 ERA, 2 G (1 Started), 7 IP, 7 H, 2 R (2 ER), 5 SO, 0 BB).

Haap has been the one with the most success thus far, with Carrasco and Kendrick struggling the most. Park is actually making a case for himself too, and considering he stayed out of the World Baseball Classic to fight for this spot, some fans are even pulling for him. However, I think in the end, his value in the bullpen will be too strong for the Phillies to ignore. RHP Chad Durbin tired toward the end of last year, and he struggled in September. Therefore, Park should be able to log a lot of innings in similar situations, (the Phillies up or down by four or more runs), which should help to keep Durbin strong toward the end of the year.

Carrasco, I think still needs more seasoning at the Triple A level, but don’t be surprised if he gets called up mid-season if someone gets injured, or if he is putting up fantastic numbers in Triple A that are just too hard to ignore. I would be surprised if Haap does not win this job, because I think Charlie Manuel would like having another lefty in his rotation, and to be real about it, so far Haap is putting up the best numbers, and he looked good last year too. More on Kyle Kendrick coming up next.

The Phillies face the Tampa Bay Rays next at 1:05 PM on Thursday, where they will see their former Left Fielder Pat Burrell in a different uniform for the first time. Jamie Moyer and J.A. Haap are both scheduled to pitch in the game.

Share on Tumblr

Topics: Carlos Carrasco, Chad Durbin, Chan Ho Park, Charlie Manuel, J.A. Haap, Kyle Kendrick, Pat Burrell, Tampa Bay Rays