Top Five Phillies Prospects Who Never Panned Out
By John Town
#5. Joe Savery
A year after drafting right-handed pitcher Kyle Drabek, the Phillies went for pitching again, selecting lefty Joe Savery No. 19 overall. Savery was successful both on the mound and at the plate in college, making him an easy selection.
Rather than focusing on one position, Savery bounced between the mound and the field. Savery struggled pitching in AAA in 2010 before heading back to High-A in 2011 to try his luck hitting. Savery actually was successful starting the year, hitting for a .778 OPS in 54 games.
With his numbers at the plate falling as he rose back through the minors, Savery once again returned to the mound in AAA, eventually making his major-league debut at the end of 2011. He started 2012 in the big-league bullpen, but posted a 5.40 ERA and was back in Lehigh Valley by the end of the year.
Savery continued to cycle in and out of the majors through 2013, doing well in AAA but being unable to find the same results with the Phillies. After nearly seven years in the organization, Savery was designated for assignment by the Phillies prior to the 2014 season.
Savery spent a year with the Athletics in 2014, making three appearances with the A’s. Savery had a 2.84 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 43 relief appearances with the A’s AAA affiliate. However, the A’s released Savery after the season. He joined the White Sox in spring training in 2015, but he was released yet again.
From there, Savery’s career was over, and he retired soon after being released. We will always wonder how Savery would fare if he remained focused on his pitching.
Next: No. 4-The Failed Clfif Lee Trade