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One of the draft picks tabbed a "failure" for former Phillies assistant general manager Marti Wolever, who was recently dismissed from his position after many years, was 2007 first round pick Joe Savery. Out of Rice University, Savery never did live up to the expectations that were placed upon him by the organization. Today, Savery announced his retirement from baseball:
Savery posted to his Facebook page:
My baseball journey has been an amazing one but it's time for the next chapter. I'm so thankful I was able to live out a childhood dream and I am proud of all I accomplished. Here's to all who helped me along the way.
Savery's journey was surely an interesting one.
Savery was known for yielding a big bat, but he also had a pretty mean fastball. Savery's fastball seemed to be lost in 2011 and after being outrighted off of the Phillies 40-man roster, Savery re-signed with the Phillies as a first baseman and designated hitter splitting time with Darin Ruf at first base and designated hitter for the Clearwater Threshers.
But, thanks to a 23-inning contest against the Jupiter Hammerheads, both Savery and Ruf ended up called into pitching duty. The Threshers even pitched Darin Ruf first that night. Then, after Ruf pitched two scoreless innings, only did the Threshers return Savery to the mound.
Savery threw two innings that night and the team realized something: Savery's fastball was back. So they pitched Savery again. Next thing the Phillies knew, they moved Savery to Reading to pitch, then Lehigh Valley, and then earned a callup to the Phillies the very season he began the season as a first baseman and designated hitter in Class A Clearwater.
For the Phillies, Savery appeared in 41 games. His best season was in 2013, when he pitched in 20 innings over 18 appearances to a 3.15 ERA. After 2013, the Phillies lost Savery to the Oakland Athletics on waivers. For the Athletics he pitched just four innings in 2014, and was released at season's end.
Savery spent Spring Training 2015 with the Chicago White Sox. Savery made four appearances in White Sox camp, throwing just two innings and surrending four earned runs. After failing to make the White Sox, Savery decided to retire.
