The Phillies pitching rotation ranks 27th in baseball at 5.14. There's no doubting the ineffectiveness of the starters, with the exception of Cole Hamels (3.68) recent success and a steady Aaron Harang (2.38). Behind them is Jerome Williams (5.21), Chad Billingsley (9.00) and Sean O'Sullivan (5.06). When looking into the minor leagues, the future rotation lies at Double-A with Aaron Nola, Zach Eflin, Tom Windle, Ben Lively and perhaps even Jesse Biddle. While it isn't a done deal that all of those guys will make it big, it seems likely that two or three of them will be members of the Phillies rotation in the coming years.
This season though, the Phillies starters have been less than ideal, especially Jerome Williams and the fifth starter spot currently occupied by Sean O'Sullivan. I'm giving Chad Billingsley a pass because he hasn't thrown in the majors in two years and only has two starts under his belt. David Buchanan was optioned after posting a 8.76 ERA over five starts, spanning 24 2/3 innings. Since moving to Triple-A, Buchanan sports a 3.55 ERA through two starts. There's a very good chance Buchanan will return to Philadelphia at some point, but it may be time to give an opportunity to a pitcher that has had little success in relief for the Phillies, but has been very impressive as a starter for the Ironpigs.
Who is that we speak of, you ask? Phillippe Aumont.
The last remaining member of the 2009 Cliff Lee trade has done nothing but disappoint at the Major League level, failing to get his command under control consistently and having trouble putting together effective outings. When the Phillies outrighted Aumont off of the 40-man roster this spring, most thought a change of scenery would be best for the towering right-hander, but instead, Aumont may have found his niche back in the starting rotation. In his start for Lehigh Valley this morning against Columbus, Aumont dazzled for seven shutout innings, allowing five hits while striking out seven.
The 26-year-old Canada-native has appeared in eight games for the Ironpigs, four relief outings and four starts. In 12 innings of relief, Aumont has allowed just two earned runs. In 21 innings as a starter, Aumont has surrendered just three earned runs, good for a combined ERA of 1.36. It may be a reach thinking that he could be in the rotation at sometime this year, but at this point, with how the team is performing, what do you have to lose?
Let's take a look at his four starts so far for Lehigh Valley. Keep in mind, instead of trying to blow hitters away with fast pitches out of the bullpen, he is pacing himself to go deeper in ballgames.
- April 26th vs. Buffalo: 5IP, 3H, 0R, 0BB, 2K (63 pitches, 46 strikes)
- May 1st at Indianapolis: 3IP, 6H, 3R, 3ER, 2 BB, 5K (76 pitches, 47 strikes)
- May 8th vs. Gwinnett: 6IP, 2H, 0R, 3 BB, 2K (88 pitches, 55 strikes)
- May 13th vs. Columbus: 7IP, 5H, 0R, 0 BB, 7K (98 pitches, 60 strikes)
His one bad outing came against Indianapolis, where he lasted just three innings, but in half of his starts, he hasn't walked a hitter and he's struck out five or more in two out of the four starts as well.
Aumont seems likely to remain in the Lehigh Valley rotation for now, but don't be surprised if he's called on later in the year to fill a rotation spot to see how it works out.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
