Each week, we check in on the Phillies top 10 prospects in the organization. The highlight of those recently seem to be the strong pitching rotation in Reading. One member of that rotation not in the top 10 is Jesse Biddle, who is looking to have a bounce back season after taking a mental break from the game last year. In addition to Biddle looking to get back to form, so is Domonic Brown with the IronPigs. While Brown thought he'd be activated from the DL and rejoin the Phillies, he finds himself in Triple-A again trying to prove that he is worth taking yet another chance on. Finally, the last piece of the Cliff Lee to the Mariners deal, Phillippe Aumont, is back in Lehigh Valley trying to sharpen his command and try once more to become a valuable asset in the Phillies bullpen.
Biddle, 23, was at the top of the Phillies prospect lists the past few years after being drafted in the first round of the 2010 draft. Biddle is currently with Double-A Reading with a pitching rotation that boasts the likes of top prospect arms of Nola, Eflin, Windle and Lively. While those four are very notable pieces in the Phillies minor league organization, Biddle has steadily been regaining his form, despite allowing five runs in his latest start. Right now, if Biddle were to make it to the big leagues as a Phillie, he'd likely end up being in middle relief or a back-end starter. He holds a 3-0 record this season, but his ERA sits a 4.62 after his latest start. He entered his May 5th outing with a 3.38 ERA. The Phils hope that Biddle can pitch deeper into games and limit walks. In his first two starts of the season, Biddle have up just two runs in 11 innings of work. In his next two starts, he gave up three runs a piece, earning wins in each. Against the Fishercats on Tuesday, Biddle lasted just four innings and gave up five runs. At this point, if Biddle allows three or less runs, that will be considered successful in his road back.
Phillies fans were very happy to see that Domonic Brown was going to be sent back to Triple-A rather than join the team in Philadelphia. While Brown wasn't too happy about the decision, nothing really sold the Phils on him being ready and prepared to come back. Brown's best time as a Phillie was the month of May in 2013, but since then he's been a big disappointment. This season, in 23 games for the Ironpigs, Brown is hitting .244 with nine runs scored, three doubles, a home run, 13 RBI's, seven walks and 18 strikeouts. His plate discipline still needs some work, but his offense has been slowly coming back to him. In his first 10 games in Lehigh Valley this season, Brown hit just .118. He's since raised his average to .232, which isn't anything to write home about, but it's coming along. Over his last 10 games, Brown is hitting .293 (12-for-41) with nine RBI's.
The last guy we will cover today is one Phillies fans hope they never have to see in red pinstripes again. Since coming over in the Cliff Lee deal with the Mariners in 2009, Phillippe Aumont has done nothing but let down. The 26-year-old right-hander was a former first round pick, but has not been close to living up to those expectations. After being sent to Triple-A, Aumont spent his first four games coming out of the bullpen. His last two games have been starts and he will get the ball again for his third start of the season this week for the Ironpigs. In 20 innings this season in Triple-A, Aumont is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA. His first start came on April 26th against Buffalo. He looked sharp, tossing five shutout innings, allowing just three hits while walking none and striking out two. He threw 63 pitches, 46 for strikes. His most recent outing on May 1st against Indianapolis was not as successful. Aumont gave up three runs in three innings, earning the loss. He struck out five and walked two. Of his 76 pitches, 47 were strikes. It looks as if the Phillies are trying to get Aumont back into a starting role, something they envisioned of him when they acquired him from Seattle in 2009. While Aumont may have seen his last big league appearance with the Phillies, his results in Lehigh Valley so far this year aren't too bad.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
