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The Phillies have taken Outman & Castro out of the starting rotation in Reading.
This season, Outman was 1-2 with a 3.16 ERA and 32/15 K/BB ratio in five starts (25.2 IP). Castro is 3-0 with a 2.96 ERA and 27/15 K/BB ratio in five starts (27.1 IP).
Bold move, and maybe the right one. First, this means Steve Kline is washed up. Second, it’s time to stop thinking of the bullpen as purgatory when the J.C. Romeros of the world receive long-term, guaranteed contracts. The Phils have paid a huge price for effective relief pitching over the years, while unsuccessfully experimenting with marginal talent.
Mike Drago of the Reading Eagle has reported that the Phillies front office has mandated a major shakeup involving two top left-handers in the farm system. Fabio Castro, 23, who started the season as a starter, will return to the bullpen, but the big surprise is 23-year-old Josh Outman, considered one of the top starting pitching prospects in the chain, is moving to the pen.
“They feel like the need in the major leagues (right now) is for a left-handed reliever,” minor league pitching coordinator Gorman Heimueller told Drago. “I think he (Outman) suits that (role). I have no doubt that he’s got the stuff to do it.” Drago mentions mid-June as a possible arrival date in Philadelphia.
Steve Kline must be cooked, Condrey & Rosario must be the injury fill-ins w/ Benson, and Outman and/or Castro will be that 2nd lefty that is needed. It looks like Outman is the main guy w/ Castro as the back-up for competition, success & injury.
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