Phillies Former Pitcher Vance “Vanimal” Worley Non-Tendered

Phillies former pitcher “The Vanimal” is on the market

Vance Worley looked like a shining star when the Phillies promoted him in 2010. Bouncing between Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia mainly as an emergency starter, Worley finally got his shot at being a member of the Phillies rotation in 2011.

With an ERA of 3.01, an 11-3 record, and 119 strikeout, Worley finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting behind Atlanta’s Craig Kimbrel and Freddie Freeman.

An inconsistent sophomore year and a logjam in the starting rotation heading into 2013 led the Phillies to trading Worley to the Twins. Along with prospect Trevor May, the Phillies got speedster Ben Revere from Minnesota.

Minnesota was so bad, Worley ended up being their Opening Day starter at one point. He could only last one season up north, and was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates after a 1-5 season. Vance showed promise once again, this time with the Pirates over the span of two seasons. Pittsburgh would ultimately waive him, only for the Orioles to make a claim.

One year later, Baltimore decides to designate Worley for assignment, making him a free agent.

As a big fan of Worley when he was a Rookie of the Year candidate, I would love to see him back in Philadelphia. He had a nasty 2-seem fastball no one that either no one could touch or would fool hitters.

Obviously The Vanimal would start the year in Triple-A, but if the Phillies need someone to make a spot-start or have an injury and don’t want to call up a prospect, I’d give Worley a whirl.

At 29-years-old, the former third-round pick by Philadelphia still has the ability to give you a quality start when needed.

Next: Tyson Ross Hits Free Agency

Should Philadelphia be dusting off the Vanimal shirseys? Let us know in the comment section and on Twitter