It's been a long road for the 18th overall pick in the 2006 draft. The centerpiece of the deal that brought Roy Halladay to Philadelphia has been designated for assignment today by the Chicago White Sox. Drabek had been claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays in March and he began the season in the bullpen for the Sox. He allowed three runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings for Chicago before being designated for assignment in order to make room for top prospect, Carlos Rodon.
Drabek has suffered through a number of injuries in his, including Tommy John surgery in 2012. The 27-year-old right-hander made his Major League debut on September 15th, 2010 for the Blue Jays and pitched six innings against the Orioles. He gave up three runs on nine hits and struck out five. Before the Phillies dealt him to Toronto, Charlie Manuel told Philly.com Sports that it would be hard to part ways with the former first round pick. I'm not sure anyone would have imagined the way things have panned out now.
Manuel was asked if there were any minor leaguers that he would not trade, even if it meant sacrificing some immediate gains on the big league club.
He said yes. Kyle Drabek, the 21-year-old righthander currently tearing up Double-A.
"It'd be tough for me to trade Drabek," Manuel said. "I like Drabek because he's strong in his legs and his hips and he's a drop and drive kind of pitcher. I'm not a pitching coach but I like his mechanics and I like where he comes from and he's a strong-bodied kid, like Tom Seaver type or a Bartolo Colon, and he's got that kind of stuff. And he's young, and I think he has a big upside to him."
Over six seasons in the big leagues, Drabek was never successful. He appeared in 42 games, 30 of which were starts, and went 8-15 with a 5.27 ERA, 6.1 K/9 and 5.7 BB/9 in 177.2 innings.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
