We break down the top individual seasons for a Phillies pitcher
If baseball resumes sometime this summer, Phillies games will likely be packed together with doubleheaders and few days off, putting pitching at the forefront.
We take time now to reflect back on the Phillies top single-season pitching performances of the last half-century. This time, we’re doing it by age and each pitcher may only appear on the list once.
Age 21: Brett Myers (2002)
Myers was drafted by the Phillies out of Englewood High School in Jacksonville, Florida in 1999. After successive 13-win seasons in 2000 and 2001 at Piedmont (A) and Reading (AA), Myers won 9 at AAA in 2002 before making his Major League debut on July 24.
Although not posting tremendous numbers for the rest of the season, Myers showed enough to prove he belonged in the big leagues at age 21. In 12 games started, he posted a 4-5 record with one complete game and a 4.25 ERA, walking only 29 in 72 innings.
Myers started a string of five consecutive double-digit win season, tying a career-high of 14 in 2003. Pitching much of 2007 in relief, Myers saved 21 including the NL East clinching game. He won 10 as part of the rotation for the 2008 World Series champions.
Myers had a career-best 223 2/3 innings and 3.14 ERA for the Astros in 2010 and logged 216 the following season. After a 3.31 ERA in 70 games out of the bullpen for the Astros and Indians in 2012, Myers struggled to the tune of an 8.02 ERA in four starts in 2013. Myers retired a game over .500 at 97-96 with a 4.25 ERA.