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Phillies Prospects: Evaluating Who Could Be Selected in Rule 5 Draft

By John Town

Oct 18, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Scottsdale Scorpions pitcher Miguel Nunez of the Philadelphia Phillies against the Mesa Solar Sox during an Arizona Fall League game at Sloan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Scottsdale Scorpions pitcher Miguel Nunez of the Philadelphia Phillies against the Mesa Solar Sox during an Arizona Fall League game at Sloan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Left-Handed Pitcher Hoby Milner

Relief pitching prospects got little love from the Phillies as Hoby Milner, a reliever like Miguel Nunez, was also left off the 40-man roster.

Milner flourished in his new role as a reliever this year after being converted to the bullpen at Double-A in 2015. Milner posted a 1.84 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 49 innings with Reading this season. He struck out 26.5% and walked just 5.9% of opposing hitters with the Fightin’ Phils.

Milner was also effective in his limited time at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. While his 4.50 ERA looks rather poor, his 2.61 FIP (fielding-independent pitching) and .350 BABIP allowed indicate the defense behind him let him down. Milner dominated opposing hitters as he struck out 12.38 per nine innings.

Next: Phillies Prospect Scott Kingery Impresses Team Officials

What makes Milner a likely target in the Rule 5 draft is his effectiveness as a reliever this year as well as his left-handedness. Lefty relievers will always be in demand, and Milner has the potential to be a solid lefty specialist out of the bullpen if nothing else. This means one team, if not more, will hope to add Milner in the Rule 5 draft if he falls to them in the draft.

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