Phillies ten worst individual season pitching performances

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 10: Pitcher Nick Pivetta #43 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts in the dugout after getting pulled from the game in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on April 10, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 10: Pitcher Nick Pivetta #43 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts in the dugout after getting pulled from the game in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on April 10, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
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PHOENIX, AZ – AUGUST 07: Nick Pivetta #43 of the Philadelphia Phillies sits in the dugout during the first inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 7, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – AUGUST 07: Nick Pivetta #43 of the Philadelphia Phillies sits in the dugout during the first inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 7, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

8: Nick Pivetta (2017)

Nick Pivetta has slowly improved since his 2017 rookie season, which happens to be one of the worst single-season pitching performances by a Phillies starter, landing eighth on this list.

He made 26 starts in 2017, averaging just a little over five innings per start. In 133 innings, Pivetta allowed 144 hits and 25 home runs with an 8-10 record and extremely high ERA of 6.02. There were some positives and hopes for future development with 140 strikeouts and only 57 walks.

The following season showed some improvement as Pivetta averaged over ten strikeouts per nine innings, while reducing his walks to under three per nine innings.  Although Pivetta’s record dropped to 7-14, the ERA was significantly better at 4.77.

Unfortunately, the 2019 season has been a regression for Pivetta. His strikeout total is down under eight per nine innings, while his home run total and ERA are up.

The word “potential” and “great stuff” has always been there for Pivetta, but the time is now to live up to the hype or Pivetta will find himself on this list in the future more than once.

7: Mike Williams (1996)

Williams had a decent career as a closer after his first stint with the Phillies in which he made two All-Star appearances and 144 saves. However, he also had one of the worst seasons as a Phillies starter during his 1996 campaign.

Coming off a solid 1995 season in which Williams posted 3.29 ERA in 33 games, he entered his fifth Major League season and the only season as a full-time member of the starting rotation. Williams struggled to find his rhythm,  winning only six games versus 14 losses with a 5.44 ERA. In 167 innings, he allowed 188 hits, 101 earned runs and 25 home runs. Williams also led the league in wild pitches with 16.

Williams went on to pitch for the Royals, Pirates, and Astros before returning to the Phillies in 2003. In his final season in the Major Leagues, Williams went 0-4 with a 5.98 in 28 games.

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