Basic Info
Age (Opening Day 2011): 20
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 200 lbs
How Acquired: 2008 draft, 3rd round
2010 Stats
This was Pettibone’s first full professional season after being drafted by the Phillies in 2008. It showed during the first half of the season as he posted a 5.29 ERA in his first 11 starts. However, he was dominant once he got his feet under him, with a 2.41 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in his final 13 appearances (12 starts).
He was absolutely dominant in his 3 playoff starts, going 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and striking out 21 in 19 innings.
Scouting Report
I probably have Pettibone a little higher than most for a couple reasons. First, he is a groundball pitcher who had a very good GB/FB (1.50), this would be good for a Phillies pitcher for obvious reasons. Second, he really came on strong at the end of year (including improving his K/9 rate immensely) and I was looking mostly at those numbers. Finally, I think that given his frame and age, it’s possible he could add some velocity to his pitches as time goes on.
As to what he throws, his fastball comes in at the low 90s and he also throws a curve and change, both average pitches at the moment.
What to Look For in 2011
Whether Pettibone can carry his late season success into a full season of success in Clearwater. Pettibone has had some injury issues, so it would be big for him simply to get through another season. At only 20, a big season at Clearwater could shoot him up this list.
Grades (Out of 10)
Upside – 6
I’m not sure yet, I’d say his upside right now is in the 4th starter range
Production – 6
Very solid year. 2nd half was among the best in the system.
Proximity to Majors – 2
20 years old and hasn’t pitched above low-A.
Video
Pettibone pitching in Lakewood in August
For all posts on Phillies’ Prospects, including the rest of the top-20, visit our Top Prospects Page
Speaking of young pitchers in the system, and at the same time shortstops perhaps destined to0 move to the outfield before their time is through, I wonder to what extent the Phils and Texas might match up in a deal.
Say for example something along the lines of Michael Young for a package including Joe Blanton and Raul Ibanez. Young pitching might catch Texas’s attention. I don’t know that a choice of Kendrick or Worley makes the Rangers salivate to the extent a Trevor May might, but there might be some sort of common denominator from which to shake hands on a deal.
Young, signed through 2013, doesn’t exaactly reduce payroll, but there would be some savings in eliminating Blanton and Ibanez obligations. He’s been a pretty decent contact hitter, and would probably play along the pace of 20 homers and maybe as many as 110 ribbies batting 5th in our lineup. He’s right hand pop. My guess would be he’d make a minimum of an adequate adjustment to becoming an outfielder.
It’s not like the Phils have to make a trade at this point. But there seem some intruiging possibilities here.
can Young play OF?
he’s a SS / 3B by trade, no?
He broke in as a SS, moved to third when Alex was acquired. OF would indeed be new.
First of all, I stand corrected on Young’s position switch when Alex went to Texas. 2B was then. 3B was later
Here’s a recent quote from Young in the Dallas Morning News.
“I’m still doing the exact same work because I don’t consider myself a DH,” he said. “I consider myself a baseball player. And everything I wanted to work on before this happened I’ve still been working on. This isn’t something I think I’m going to be doing permanently. My goals for the season are to have a big year and play for a winning team. At the end of the day that’s all I’m really concerned with.”
That sounds to me like a guy open to a position switch, and not exactly resigned to a trade, but I don’t see anything in there about wanting to finish my career as a Ranger.
And as long as you can stay away from Howard Eskin, who wouldn’t want to play in Philly for the Phils right now. I believe he’d be drenched with excitement over beoming an OF to do so. Pete Rose learned a new position at an advanced age to play for us. He’d already played 2B and 3B, played 1B here, and if I’m not mistaken, didn’t play RF until even later with the Expos.
Am I comparing Michael Young to Pete Rose? On a smaller scale, yes.
The Roy Halladay that Howard Eskin doesn’t know.
http://msn.foxsports.com/video/MLB?vid=f2434b4e-9f0f-402b-af78-2bf6d696de19
Shane Victorino trails only former Brave Mike Lum for Hawaii MLB HR supremacy. He’ll become the all-time king with his 29th roundtripper this upcoming season.
Mike Lum 90
Shane Victorino 62
Kurt Suzuki 42
Benny Agbayani 39
Lenn Sakata 25
no on young.
RAJ should have called the Angles.
Ibanez>>>>wells.
The weathet outside is frightful, and local reaction to Commissioner Obama’s State of the League address, but the Big Story on Action News is…
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/special_reports&id=7912622