When the Phillies traded Cole Hamels to the Rangers in exchange for top prospects Jorge Alfaro, Nick Williams, Jake Thompson along with mid-level pitchers Jerad Eickhoff and Alec Asher, fans likely didn't realize that the trade would bearing fruit so soon. Both Williams and Thompson impressed in their time with Double-A Reading while Eickhoff and Asher pitched well enough in Triple-A to get some time in the majors. While we may still be a half season from seeing Williams and Thompson in Phillies pinstripes, Jerad Eickhoff likely already solidified himself a spot in he 2016 rotation. Meanwhile, Asher struggled at the big league level and could start the season in Lehigh Valley come 2016.
After posting a 2.49 ERA in three starts with the Ironpigs, the Phillies promoted Jerad Eickhoff to the majors and he turned heads in his eight outings with the team, finishing with a record of 3-3 to go along with an impressive 2.49 ERA and 1.039 WHIP. Eickhoff ended his 2015 campaign with authority, putting together back-to-back 10 strikeout performances against the Nationals and the NL East champion New York Mets.
The thing that stood out the most in Eickhoff's time with the Phillies this season was his curveball. On good days, it has a nasty 12-6 break and it's good even when he isn't on his game. Part of the reason it's so deceptive is that the release point is the same as his fastball, according to this Brooks Baseball chart, thus easily deceiving hitters that are unable to decipher his delivery.
He used that curve to get the final out of his last start against the Mets with two runners on base. Phillies manager Pete Mackanin came to the mound to tell the rookie that the game was his. Eickhoff fell behind 2-1 on Juan Lagares, but came back to punch him out with a devastating curve. The 25-year-old right-hander relies heavily on the pitch, throwing it 45% of the time with two strikes and 40% when he is ahead in the count.
"It's the culmination of the season," Eickhoff said. "Experiences, learning, it all just comes together. It was a great, great feeling. It's hard to describe, just everything bottled up into one pitch. It felt great. Before he stepped to the plate, I looked down at the mound thinking that I'm getting down towards the end of the rope here. Just make good pitches." [Phillies.com]
Eickhoff held opposing teams to two runs or less in five of his eight starts and tallied strikeout numbers of five plus in six starts. He also pitched seven innings in five of those starts. He made his big league debut on August 22nd against Miami and hurled six shutout innings, striking out five and scattering just five his. His worst start came in early September against the Red Sox in Boston. Eickhoff allowed six runs in just four innings. Not only is Eickhoff grabbing the attention of the fans, but of his veteran teammates as well. Phillies outfielder Jeff Francoeur told Phillies.com that if Eickhoff is the only one that works out from he Hamels deal, it will still be worth it.
"I've got a man crush," Phillies right fielder Jeff Francoeur said about Eickhoff following Thursday afternoon's 3-0 victory over the Mets at Citizens Bank Park. "If none of the other guys [in the Hamels trade] ever pan out, he's worth it alone."
With the pitching rotation for 2016 up in the air, beyond the obvious Aaron Nola, Eickhoff has a big chance to start the season as the Phillies number three or even their number two guy. He allowed just three runs over his final 30 innings on the mound in 2015, yet was ranked as the fourth best prospect to come over the Philadelphia in he Hamels deal.
Eickhoff's teammate from Round Rock, Alec Asher, didn't have the same success that Eickhoff endured at the big league level, despite pitching to a 2-0 record and a 2.08 ERA in Triple A. He followed that up by going 0-6 with a 9.31 ERA in seven starts, becoming the first pitcher to go winless in his first seven starts with the Phillies since Paul Abbott in 2004.
After losing his first four starts, though, Asher put together his best outing of the season against the Marlins on September 24th. The 24-year-old right-hander tossed seven innings of one-run ball, but the Phillies unfortunately lost, 1-0. Highlights of his start for that game are right here:
Beyond that start, Asher gave up four or more runs in five of his starts and five or more in three of them. Opposing hitters averaged .339 against him and in his final two starts, he allowed seven earned runs in just 2 2/3 innings.
It's clear Asher needs more polishing and will likely start he 2016 season in the Lehigh Valley rotation. That being said, if he puts together strong performances in spring training, he could find himself at the end of the rotation in Philadelphia.
"He needs some polish," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "He's going to be a good pitcher. He's not quite there yet. It's our job to polish him up." [Phillies.com]
Jerad Eickhoff and Alec Asher could both have bright futures with the Phillies, despite Asher's struggles in red pinstripes. The promotion of both of these right-handers towards the end of the season does point out that the Phillies need more pitching depth this offseason.
Brandon Apter, Managing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
