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Phillies: 5 Philadelphia Prospects Expected To Debut In 2017

By Gary Brinson

Mar 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop J.P. Crawford (77) sits in the dugout against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop J.P. Crawford (77) sits in the dugout against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 14, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) celebrates after their win against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Nationals defeated the Phillies, 8-7 in 11 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Jonathan Papelbon was a fine closer for the Phillies, but his biggest attribute to the team could be this young right-hander.

Antics aside, Papelbon did his job while he in Philadelphia. With that, he netted a pretty good prospect in Nick Pivetta.

The big right hander (6’5”, 220 pounds) has shown flashes of greatness, but overall has back-end rotation potential.

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He’s on this list because of his age, and his improvement when he reached AAA last season. Pivetta (who turns 24 in February),  finished with a 2.55 ERA in 24.1 innings for the Iron Pigs, but shown flashes of a plus fastball (93-96 mph) with power downhill command.

With a logjam at starting pitching, a limited ceiling, and the need for power arms out of the bullpen, it’s easy to see the Phillies converting Pivetta into hard-throwing reliever.

Whatever his role is, expect Pivetta in Philadelphia by September at the latest.

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