Examining the Phillies Short-Season Pitching Prospects
By John Town
LHP Bailey Falter (Williamsport) – 6’4 175, 4/24/97
The Phillies selected Bailey Falter in the fifth round in last year’s draft, counting on his projection. Falter threw a mid-80s fastball and two bleh secondary pitches, but there was plenty of physical maturation on his tall, slender frame.
Despite a fringe arsenal, Falter found success in 28 GCL innings last year. He walked just 2.6% of opposing batters with a 2.89 FIP (fielding-independent pitching).
Now with Williamsport, Falter’s velocity has risen considerably, as he now reaches the low-90s comfortably. His change has looked notably better with some good fade on it. His curveball still needs work, but it could become decent in time.
Falter has looked particularly effective in his last five starts, carrying a 2.55 ERA in that time. Since July, Falter has walked more than one batter in a start just once. His best performance came July 21, where he struck out ten batters in six shutout innings.
With a much better arsenal, Falter now looks like he could be a back-end starter. Like every other pitcher here, it will be several years before Falter nears the majors, but his chances look far better now.
Next: Sixto Sanchez