Phillies: Projecting Major-League and Minor-League Rotations for 2017

Mar 12, 2016; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Vince Velasquez (28) throws a warm up pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Vince Velasquez (28) throws a warm up pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
4 of 6
Phillies
Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World pitcher Ricardo Pinto throws in the 7th inning during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Double-A Reading

Reading’s rotation is where we start to see far more prospects and far fewer players with major-league experience. A few will be on the 40-man roster, but most are still fairly young.

Ricardo Pinto, Thomas Eshelman, Jon Richy, Tyler Viza will all likely return to the Reading rotation. Pinto spent all of 2016 there, but I don’t think he showed enough to warrant a promotion and there really isn’t a spot for him in Triple-A regardless. The other three all came up midseason from Clearwater.

The fifth spot in this rotation is a toss-up as well between Drew Anderson and Elniery Garcia. Both were added to the 40-man roster this winter, so the team would like to have them as close to the majors as possible. Anderson has a strong case, but Garcia benefits from being left-handed and has more High-A time under his belt.

Schedule