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Phillies 2017 Season Preview: Starting Pitcher Jeremy Hellickson

By Sean Duckworth

Sep 23, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (58) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (58) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jeremy Hellickson surprised nearly everybody when he returned to the Phillies for 2017, and his new salary will garner increased pressure.

In November, the soon to be 30 year old right-hander Jeremy Hellickson accepted a $17.2 million qualifying offer from the Phillies, making him the league’s 20th-highest paid starting pitcher according to Spotrac. This higher paycheck will undoubtedly come with higher scrutiny.

Hellickson arguably had the second best year of his career in 2016, tossing 189 innings while striking out 154 batters and pitching to the tune of a 3.71 ERA. It was his most efficient year since winning the Rookie of the Year in 2011 and an above average season the following year in 2012.

*Both shown below for reference

Year Age Tm Lg W L W-L% ERA G GS CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB SO WHIP SO9 SO/W 2011 24 TBR AL 13 10 .565 2.95 29 29 2 1 189.0 146 64 62 21 72 117 1.153 5.6 1.63 2012 25 TBR AL 10 11 .476 3.10 31 31 0 0 177.0 163 68 61 25 59 124 1.254 6.3 2.10 2016 29 PHI NL 12 10 .545 3.71 32 32 1 1 189.0 173 86 78 24 45 154 1.153 7.3 3.42

2017 Outlook

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Given the past years’ performance as well as his contract value, Hellickson will carry some lofty expectations in 2017.

While the strikeouts, walks and WHIP (his 1.153 was good for 19th in the league behind Noah Sydergaard) all stood out, it’s concerning to see a hit total so high compared to the amount of innings thrown. One can only imagine what kind of WHIP the righty may have amassed if not for an extraordinary year in terms of control.

Hellickson had a 3.42 strikeout to walk ratio and 2.14 walks per game.

You can expect to see much of the same in 2017 as Hellickson seems to have found a home in Philadelphia. He has made it clear in the past that he is looking to stay for the long haul, however, most of Hellickson’s value to the Phillies’ organization is trade-related. 2017 will be no different in that regard.

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If Hellickson can manage a campaign similar to his 2016 season, it would be hard to imagine him remaining in red pinstripes passed the July 31 trade deadline barring injury. His contract is manageable (especially if the Phillies opt to eat some of the money in return for better prospects) and nearly every contender will have the need for a veteran starter to fill in the middle to back of a rotation for a playoff run.

For the time being, it appears as if Hellickson will be the ace of a new look Phillies pitching staff as manager Pete Mackanin hinted that Hellickson would start Opening Day.

There is still a lot to be finalized before Opening Day rolls around a new season dawns, however, it cannot be overstated what Jeremy Hellickson’s performance this year will not only mean for the 2017 Philadelphia Phillies but also the franchise’s success moving forward.

Next: Is Placido Polanco Deserving of the Wall of Fame?

All statistics referenced courtesy of Baseball Reference. 

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