Phillies Should Give Enyel De Los Santos a Crack at the Rotation
By Ryan Flores
The Philadelphia Phillies have had an issue with locking down the back end of their rotation in 2019. They initially thought that Nick Pivetta could be their guy, but he's now with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and they've inserted Jerad Eickhoff in his spot in the rotation.
The other spot in the rotation belongs to Vince Velasquez, who is currently on the disabled list. He could possibly lose his spot in the rotation as well given he has a 5.61 FIP through seven games. Cole Irvin has taken over for him in the rotation for now, but at what point do the Phillies say enough is enough, and call upon their sixth-ranked prospect Enyel De Los Santos?
A second straight rough outing for Vince Velasquez. 98 pitches and did not record an out in the 5th. Last start he threw 99 pitches and didn't get out of the 4th. Fair to wonder how patient Phillies will be with Velasquez following Nick Pivetta's demotion 3 weeks into the season.
— Sean Kane (@SKaneNBCS) May 7, 2019
Irvin, the Phillies 16th-ranked prospect, fared well in his first start against the Kansas City Royals, as he tossed seven innings of one-run ball on five hits with five strikeouts. His success is well-warranted with the success he had in Triple-A, as he posted a 2.25 ERA through 36 innings, although he did also allow 36 hits.
Should Irvin not be able to keep his grip on that backend role, Enyel De Los Santos should absolutely be the next man up.
Enyel De Los Santos done.
— Tom Housenick (@TomHousenick) May 10, 2019
3 IP
2 H
0 R
2 BB
2 K
50 pitches, 33 strikes.@IronPigs 1-0, bottom 3
Yacksel Rios coming in for LV
De Los Santos has absolutely nothing left to prove in the minors. He accumulated a 2.63 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 110 strikeouts over 126.2 innings in 2018. In 2019, he's been even more dominant, logging a 2.37 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 26 strikeouts in four starts (19 innings). He's also cranked up the heat, hitting the mid-90s with his fastball.
Enyel De Los Santos works around 2-out triple by fanning @indyindians Will Craig with 95 mph heat@IronPigs coming up
— Tom Housenick (@TomHousenick) May 10, 2019
Across the league, ball clubs are trusting their youngsters to take the mound every fifth day and are finding great success. For example, Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Soroka has a 1.21 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 31 strikeouts through 29.2 innings pitched. San Diego Padres pitcher Chris Paddack has been lethal as well, posting a 1.99 ERA with 49 strikeouts and an impressive 23 hits across 45.1 innings. These young pitchers deserved their respective ball clubs' trust, and they got it, and things should be no different for the Phillies and Enyel De Los Santos.
Just make the call, Philadelphia. I'm sure you won't regret it.