That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies 2015 TBOH Award Winners

By Matt Veasey

PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 4: Fans stand at attention during the national anthem before the home opener between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Veterans Stadium on April 4, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pirates defeated the Phillies 9-1. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 4: Fans stand at attention during the national anthem before the home opener between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Veterans Stadium on April 4, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pirates defeated the Phillies 9-1. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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Sep 8, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA;

Phillies closer Giles (53) reacts after strike out to end game at Citizens Bank Park.

(Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)

The Phillies were finally able to unload controversial closer Jonathan Papelbon just before the 2015 MLB trade deadline, shipping him off to the Washington Nationals on July 28th for minor league pitcher Nick Pivetta. Papelbon was pitching well, with 17 Saves, a 1.59 ERA, and status as the lone Phils’ NL All-Star rep.

But Papelbon had burned his bridges with the team’s fans a year earlier, and despite becoming the franchise’ all-time Saves leader earlier in the 2015 campaign, most couldn’t wait for him to be gone.

Once he was gone, another moment that fans were looking forward to finally came to pass when fireballing righty Ken Giles ascended to the closer role. “100-Miles” Giles had been the primary setup man almost from the moment of his call-up to the big leagues in mid-June of 2014.

Giles was the unanimous choice of our TBOH staffers as the Phillies 2015 Relief Pitcher of the Year. He recorded his first Save of the season on the same day that Papelbon was dealt away, and would finish with 15 Saves over the final two months. Giles had an outstanding 1.71 ERA, allowed 20 hits in 26.1 innings, and had a 33/5 K:BB ratio in that time frame as closer.

Overall on the 2015 season, Giles had a 6-3 record and those 15 Saves over 69 games. He had a 1.80 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, and 2.13 FIP. He allowed 59 hits in 70 total innings, with an overall 87/25 K:BB ratio.

The 25-year old Giles is now the subject of growing speculation as a possible off-season trade chip for the Phillies. The logic there is that the Phils are likely to still be in building mode as Giles moves towards his prime, and because of his age and talent, he could bring back at least one, and possibly two, high-valued prospects to help advance the rebuilding process.

Next: TBOH 2015 Phillies Offensive Player of the Year

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