Another candidate for the starting rotation has joined the Phillies in Clearwater
Right-handed pitcher Drew Hutchison has signed a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training with the Phillies.
Formerly of the Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates, Hutchison spent the entire 2017 season with the Pirates Triple-A club in Indianapolis. Holding a career ERA of 4.93 with 384 strikeouts in 82 games, Hutchison has bounced between the starting rotation and bullpen throughout his career.
Drafted in the 15th round of the 2009 MLB Amateur June Draft out of Lakeland High School Hutchison was the Blue Jays fifth-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, ahead of Aaron Sanchez and Adeiny Hechavarria.
While never pretty Hutchison has been able to win games as a major league pitcher with a career record of 30-21.
Expect Hutchison to be in the conversation for the fifth spot of the Phillies starting rotation, but he’s most-likely set to replace Mark Appel in the Lehigh Valley rotation.
Hutchison is also a client of the embroiled sports agency ACES, who were named in a lawsuit filed by a former employee alleging the agency provided performance-enhancing drugs to clients. No players were named in the lawsuit.
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General manager Matt Klentak has been excessively vocal with his desire to sign a veteran starting pitcher to balance a young rotation. Free agents Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb, Lance Lynn, and Jason Vargas could be of interest if Klentak can work out a short-term deal with a high average annual value.
Reports emerged as pitchers and catchers reported to Clearwater that the Phillies front office contacted the Chicago Cubs regarding pitcher Mike Montgomery. Chicago has a logjam in their starting rotation having recently signed Yu Darvish to a long-term deal. With Jon Lester, Jose Quintana, Kyle Hendricks, Tyler Chatwood, and Darvish filling out the starting rotation Montgomery is certainly expendable, perhaps for Tommy Joseph as a needed right handed bat off the bench.
Next: Phillies: Breaking down the spring training roster battles
If no veteran is added this offseason expect Hutchison, Ben Lively, Mark Leiter Jr., Zach Eflin, and Jake Thompson to compete for a major league job.