No. 6: Right-Handed Pitcher Franklyn Kilome
The Phillies’ international scouting department has produced a crop of talented Latin pitchers, none more exciting than righty Franklyn Kilome. Kilome stands 6’6 according to MiLB.com with long, lanky arms that just scream projection.
After two solid seasons in the short-season leagues, Kilome got his first test at full-season action this season with Low-A Lakewood. His first three starts were a mess, allowing five or more earned runs in all three while walking 10 batters.
After those starts, Kilome looked like the top prospect he is, striking out 10.61 batters per nine innings. Opposing hitters had a measly .224 average as Kilome carried a 2.57 ERA, 2.74 FIP, and 1.21 WHIP. Kilome wasn’t perfect, allowing walks to 9% of batters in that span.
Kilome was especially effective from July on this year. His ERA was just 1.96 in 11 starts after July 6, striking out batters at a Jose Fernandez-esque 34.2% clip. His control looked slightly better at 2.72 walks per nine innings.
Kilome dominated Low-A hitters with two plus pitches. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and can touch upwards of 97. He pairs that with a revamped plus curveball. According to J.J. Cooper of Baseball America, Kilome worked with the Lakewood pitching coach to pick up “the grip of a more conventional curveball that quickly became a much more useful weapon because he can throw it for swinging strikes in the zone.” With those two pitches alone, Kilome can be an effective strikeout pitcher.
The parts of Kilome’s game that still need some work are his changeup and command. Kilome’s changeup should be an average third pitch and it flashes even better, but he still needs to work on it. As evidenced by the walk rates above, Kilome’s control and command also need some work.
With Jake Thompson graduated, Kilome is now the best pitching prospect in the system. That label carries a lot of responsibility, but he has shown the raw tools as well as the adaptability to improve over time. Kilome should do well in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League, but Double-A will be a true test for him as a pitcher.