Philadelphia Phillies Midseason Report Cards: Starting Rotation
The Phillies have used Matt Moore and Spencer Howard as starters and relievers
Matt Moore
Moore has only made six starts this season out of 12 appearances, but he hasn’t been the worst pitcher the Phillies have used.
The 32-year-old was excellent in his early years with the Tampa Bay Rays, but hadn’t pitched more than two games since the 2018 season. His 5.40 ERA this season is actually his best since his first season with the Giants in 2016.
Overall, Moore is in the same boat as most of the other pitchers on this list: too many earned runs, not enough outs. Moore has averaged at least one hit per inning of work this year, and has only struck out 24 batters over 31 2/3 innings. Like Anderson, he’s also issued 17 walks.
Moore began the season in the rotation, but was moved to the bullpen in May. He was much better in relief than his three April starts, with a 3.68 ERA over 7 1/3 innings of work that month, only allowing three earned runs overall.
Since June 25, Moore has a 2.70 over three starts, but his inconsistency makes it hard to predict how his second half will go. Likely, more of the same.
Midseason Grade: C
Spencer Howard
The 24-year-old Howard is supposed to be one of the Phillies’ brightest stars of the future, but he’s struggled over his nine games (five starts) at the major-league level this season.
Howard made his debut in 2020, and started six games for the Phils. His debut season culminated in a 5.92 ERA over 24 1/3 innings.
Over 21 2/3 innings of big-league work this year, Howard has a 5.82 ERA and has surrendered nearly one hit per inning. He has struck out 27 and only walked nine of the 101 batters he’s faced this year, but it seems as though the Phillies don’t know how to help him improve.
In fewer innings this season, Howard has walked more batters and surrendered almost the same number of earned runs. There is some improvement to be found in his strikeout numbers increasing and his number of home runs allowed decreasing, but he just doesn’t seem ready for the big show. One outlet even called him a “less developed Vince Velasquez,” which is really not a comparison to which any young pitcher should aspire.
How much of his performance this season is his fault remains to be seen. Howard certainly wouldn’t be the first pitching prospect they haven’t been able to develop.
Midseason Grade: C