Phillies 2015 Report Card: Starting Pitchers
By Matt Veasey
Jul 24, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA;
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Williams (31) delivers against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
(Photo Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports)
Jerome Williams – F: that the Phillies gave 21 starts to Williams and allowed him to pitch in 33 games is perhaps as much testimony as one needs to understand how and why they finished with a 63-99 record that was the franchise’ worst by percentage since 1972. While Williams is certainly not to blame for all of that, he is representative of the shortfall in talent and depth that led to the final result.
Williams had been a pleasant surprise down the stretch for the 2014 Phillies, going 4-2 over nine starts with a 2.83 ERA in that season’s final month and a half. That performance and a lack of established options led to his opening the 2015 season back in the rotation.
He started out okay over his first three outings, but then began what would be a season of major disappointment and failure. The Phillies lost nine of his next 10 starts. His final numbers out of the rotation were: 4-10, a 6.13 ERA, with a .323 batting average against. He allowed 146 hits in 105.2 innings, with a 65/29 K:BB ratio.
Just six times was he able to get past the 5th inning, and he reached the 7th just once all year, on August 9th in the notoriously pitcher-friendly confines of San Diego’s Petco Park. Following back-to-back horrid outings in late August, and with new options ready to debut from the minors, Williams was finally banished to the bullpen.
Next: 29 Starts: Harang