Harold Arauz celebrates with teammates in Clearwater (Photo courtesy Danie Berlingis)
It was a miserable day in Clearwater. After being scheduled to play a double header thanks to the all-too-common Florida rainout, the rain got in the way once again in game one. Phillies prospect Ranger Suarez was knocked out of the game in the fifth inning due to a one hour, 59 minute rain delay after allowing just one run. After J.D. Hammer made his much-anticipated Threshers debut, the Phillies fell to the Fort Myers Miracle 4-0. Finally, game two began at 5:31 p.m. with next to no crowd. It would be a memorable one for a Phillies prospect.
Pitcher Harold Arauz, who came to the Phillies as part of the Ken Giles trade, pitched a no-hitter in the seven-inning game, coming close to a perfect game. A one-out walk in the seventh inning to third baseman Brandon Lopez spoiled the perfect game. But that would be it for baserunners allowed by Arauz as the Threshers won 2-0 and Arauz completed his no-hitter.
Mostly used as a reliever, Arauz has appeared at three levels: Class A Lakewood, Class A Advanced Clearwater, and Double-A Reading for one game. Arauz only recently returned to starting games for the Phillies organization in 2017. After a July 4 spot start, Arauz started on July 25 before making a second consecutive start today. Arauz went 6-6 with a 3.19 earned run average for Lakewood in 2016.
Though Brett Oberholtzer left the Phillies organization, pitchers Vince Velasquez, Tom Eshelman, and Arauz all remain in the Phillies organization from the trade that sent the former Phillies closer Giles and shortstop Jonathan Arauz to the Houston Astros.
Combined over the three levels, Arauz is 5-4 with a 1.95 earned run average this season for the Phillies organization. At 22 years old, Arauz has some time to show he should be part of the organization's plans going forward.
