Phillies Prospect Report: New Bash Brother Emerges in Clearwater
By Josh Starr
Which Phillies prospects are on the rise and who is falling in the minors?
The crops have been soaking up a lot of water with all of the rain the Phillies have dealt with over the past week, so let’s check down on the farm and see how some of the Phillies prospects have performed lately.
Trending Up: Cole Irvin, LHP, Lehigh Valley
Cole Irvin had a great start to his professional career, speeding through the Phillies system, starting in Williamsport in 2016 and finishing 2017 in Reading. His 2018, as a surprise to some, started in Lehigh Valley.
As of May 12th, Irvin posted a 3.21 ERA and a 3-1 record in 7 starts for the Iron Pigs. Aside from two rough starts on April 20th and May 2nd in which he gave up 4 and 5 runs respectively, Irvin’s numbers would be even better.
In his last start on May 12th, Irvin tossed 7.0 innings, giving up no runs on 2 hits and striking out 8 Buffalo batters.
Irvin faces the same struggle that many of the other pitchers in the Phillies system face: a crowded rotation in Philadelphia. It doesn’t help Irvin that he is far from the first choice to get called up to the big club. With pitchers like Enyel De Los Santos and Tom Eshelman ahead of him, it is unlikely that Irvin will get the call anytime soon.
With all of that being said, Irvin is a 6’4 left-handed pitcher, which may help him get to the big leagues faster than some expect.