RADIO
In a quiet but crucial move for 2016, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for starting pitcher Sam McWilliams, according to Philly.com.
The move puts Hellickson’s at the top of the Phillies rotation for 2016. The six-year veteran isn’t coming off a good year but will provide the veteran leadership for a young rotation in Philly to face any opposing team's top starter. The right-hander pitched to a 9-12 record with a 4.62 ERA in 27 games started. It’s been a rough last two seasons between Arizona and Tampa Bay and it might not improve at all not that he’s going to be pitching a lot more inside Chase Field. The dimensions in Philly aren’t in any pitcher's favor. Maybe a new home is what will be best for Hellickson after what has been a solid career for the most part. He owns a 49-48 career record with a 3.94 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 786 innings.
The Phillies rotation could realistically will be real young. Three or four of the other pitchers in the rotation could be entering their second season and first full season. Aaron Nola was called up in the middle of the season and the rookie right-hander didn’t do that bad He finished with a 6-2 record, 3.59 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Nola is likely only going to get better with more big league experience. Fellow rookie Adam Morgan didn’t fare as well when he was called up. In 15 starts, the left-hander had a 4.48 ERA. It is expected that he will also be in the rotation for 2016. Jerad Eickhoff is another rookie expected to be in the rotation. He’s the man expected to be the future ace of the staff. The 25-year-old had a 2.65 ERA in eight starts with the Phillies. He struck out 49 batters in only 51 innings of work. The rotation looks bright in Philly and Hellickson will only help the grooming process while giving the youngsters someone to look up to and rely on for help.
McWilliams isn’t expected to be in the Arizona rotation anytime soon. The 20-year-old made seven starts this season for the Phillies at the Rk level. He pitched to a 3.27 ERA over seven starts. There’s promise for the youngster but he has ways to go before contributing at the highest level.
