Phillies 2019 season preview: Starting pitcher Zach Eflin
Projections for Eflin in 2019
I believe Eflin is going to have a very stable but so-so 2019. That’s just the type of pitcher he is. He’s not going to strike out 15 guys like Pivetta, or pitch a no-no going into the ninth like Nola. But he’ll give you five/six strong innings where he strikes out seven/eight and maybe give up a couple runs. He’s a great fit to the back-end of the rotation, and will likely lose some starts to either Eickhoff or one of the minor league guys.
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In terms of stats, I think Eflin’s season will look something like this: 20 starts, 10 wins. A 4.25 ERA, with 130 strikeouts and 30 walks. And he’ll give up 15 home runs. My hope for Eflin is that he can pitch 160 innings and not have to deal with any injuries that keep him out of the rotation for too long.
If Eflin does end up missing time, his position may be in serious jeopardy. Eickhoff is raring to come back, and the prospects want a taste of the big leagues.
Yet, with Eickhoff’s health being a prevailing issue, and the start Eflin got off to last year, it is most certainly his job to lose. He may even improve his position if Vince Velasquez starts to falter, or transitions to the bullpen.
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What I think will be the most likely outcome is that the Phillies trend to what they’ve done in the past and have almost a six-man rotation once Eickhoff returns. That being said, 2019 could be the year that Eflin can ensure his place in the Phillies’ future plans.