In addition to protecting three players from the Rule-5 draft today, the Phillies have claimed right-hander A.J. Achter off waivers from the Twins, adding to their pitching depth heading into the new season.
#Phillies have claimed RHP A.J. Achter off waivers from the Minnesota Twins.
— Phillies (@Phillies) November 20, 2015
Achter, 27, was picked in the 46th round of the 2010 draft by the Twins and appeared in 11 big league games in Minnesota this season, posting a 6.75 ERA in 13.1 innings of work. His numbers at the Triple-A level this season are impressive though. In 43 games out of the bullpen, Achter went 4-2 with a 2.63 ERA, holding opposing hitters to a .163 average. He made his big league debut in September of 2014 and went 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA in 11 innings that season before starting 2015 in the minors.
While Achter's exact role is yet to be determined, he'll likely get the opportunity to start the season in the Phillies bullpen with those roles up in the air with the exception of Ken Giles, unless he gets traded of course.
