That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies: Who’re the odd-men out of the starting rotation?

By George Stockburger

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 28: Pitcher Jerad Eickhoff #48 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves won 10-2. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 28: Pitcher Jerad Eickhoff #48 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves won 10-2. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Phillies
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 09: Zach Eflin #56 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the second inning against the New York Mets during Game One of a doubleheader at Citi Field on July 9, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Zach Eflin

Zach Eflin has appeared in trade talks over the last year but the Phillies have stubbornly kept him around. There were rumors over the summer that the Orioles wanted him in a Manny Machado deal but the Phillies were unwilling to deal him. Eflin’s name popped up again in reported discussions involving Paul Goldschmidt, and there are conflicting reports as to whether Eflin, not Carlos Santana, held up that trade.

Acquired in the Jimmy Rollins trade with Tom Windle in 2014, Eflin made a career-high 24 big league starts coming off knee surgery. He set career-highs across the board, including 11 wins and an 8.6 strikeouts/nine innings.

Nine of Eflin’s starts were considered “quality starts” meaning he went at least six innings and allowed three runs or less. That’s not a fantastic quality start rate at 38%, putting him below average for all major league starters. He did finish better than Pivetta and Velasquez, though just slightly ahead of Velasquez.

Eflin has had some terrific, historic stretches of excellence on the mound followed by some horrendous starts. After striking out 13 hitters and allowing just one run in his first two starts in 2018 he had an 8.10 ERA in his next three starts, which included two five-run games.

The righty then had a six game stretch when he allowed two runs or fewer and went at least five innings. After that run he allowed three runs or more in 9 of his next 10 starts with a 6.26 ERA.

It’s been either hot or ice cold for Eflin since he made the big leagues, but other teams want him and the Phillies are resistant to trade him.

Because of their resistance to trade him, I think he can stick with the team and be their number four or five starter in 2019.

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