Reading lefty Joe Savery mows down the Eastern League
Savor the Minors Joe
There’s only a limited time before Rueben Amaro tags the minor’s hot horse to rescue the big club: Joe Savery. The Reading Phillies ace, unlike his brief rehabbing teammate, has been lights out this year. I plugged Savery as a guy to watch last week, but he deserves some more (virtual) column inches than just stats.
Although a pitcher, at Rice University Savery stared both at the plate and on the mound. He grew up as a Texan that ate and breathed baseball. A great Houston Press article discusses his youth and collegiate struggles prior to blasting off.
After being drafted with the 19th-overall pick in the 2007 draft, Savery pitched mediocre ball with Clearwater.
“At the end of last year, to be honest, I was throwing 84 to 86 mph,” Savery said. “The way my arm felt – it’s not that you think it’s over, but in the back of your mind, you’re thinking, ‘I’ve had a surgery. Maybe my arm’s just not cut out for this. Maybe this is as good as it gets.’
That’s from a piece in The Philadelphia Daily News, which once again scoops me on a Phillies prospect. Marcus Hayes details Savery’s struggles before turning it on in Reading.
Slimmer, smarter and more comfortable, Savery yesterday improved to 8-1 [NOTE: now he has nine], tied for the most wins in Double A. His earned run average is 3.47. His fastball is buzzing in from 87 to 91 mph, his slider is finding some bite, his changeup is an occasional weapon and his two-seam fastball, four starts into its insertion into his repertoire, is . . . a work in progress.
Assistant GM Chuck Lamar says, thankfully, the Phillies won’t promote Savery until “we see more of a mastery of his pitches,” which Savery admits.
Like Lamar says, he’s not quite there yet. Despite his record and decent ERA, Savery’s inning totals have varied. In relief of Lidge June 20, he totaled five innings. Most of his starts see him pitching five or six. He’s yet to get out of the seventh.
At 6-3, 215 pounds, the 23-year-old left-hander still has some growing to do. But he’s quickly becoming of the Phillies best pitching options for the future. He pitches tonight in Trenton at 7:05 p.m.
How was Lights Out Lidge?
Phillies closer Brad Lidge was activated yesterday from the disabled list and hopes to revive a tired Phillies bullpen. His minor league outings at Clearwater and Reading were what’s to be expected from a big leaguer pitching to AA and A hitters: solid.
His velocity is up, but not where it was before. Ninety-four m.p.h is better than 92-93, sure. But he didn’t hit the upper nineties in the minors, which he needs to disguise his other pitches.
A first-hand account from Tampa Yankees 1B Kevin Smith:
“He’s probably ready,” said … Smith, whom Lidge walked in the eighth inning [Tuesday]. “He was throwing hard, and his slider was sharp. He’s got that slow delivery and the ball really explodes off his hand. He has good stuff.”
In an inning with Reading, Lidge gave up a hit and struck out two. With Clearwater, walked one batter in an inning of work. Reliever Scott Eyre could begin rehabbing Saturday; no appearances have been set for Clay Condrey.
More draft signings
Although not yet assigned, the Phillies signed first draft selection Kelly Dugan. Chosen in the second round, 75th overall, Dugan is a speedy high schooler from California. After some injuries during his senior year and fears he would choose college over the pros, scouts dropped him down in rankings. The Phillies brass thought Dugan had first-round talent, so it softened the blow of them not having a first-round pick.
Twenty players remained unsigned — nothing to worry about, really. Often many late rounders opt to play college ball instead of signing with their initial team (Chase Utley was drafted by the Dodgers in 1997 before attending UCLA). However, five of the Phillies first 10 picks haven’t signed yet. Neither has mid-round stud Jacob Stewart or family-man Robert Amaro. Still, it’s good to lock Dugan up.
Veeck Award
The promotional event of the week occurs tonight at the Williamsport Crosscutters third home game of the season. In addition to hosting the World Series trophy, the Crosscutters have a happy hour. I can’t imagine what that’d be like in Philadelphia, but tonight verse Mahoning Valley, the Crosscutters offer half-priced beer and food before 7 p.m.
By the numbers
Cedrick Bowers
Relief Pitcher, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
2-1, 1.51 ERA in 26 games
Signed: 2009 as minor league free agent from Colorado
Yohan Flande
Starting Pitcher, Clearwater Threshers (A)
7-1, 2.52 ERA, 1 SHO, with 67 K in 82 IP
Signed: Amateur free agent, 2006
Siulman Lebron
Starting Pitcher, Williamport Crosscutters (A)
2-0, 1.42 ERA in first two starts (12 innings)
Signed: Amateur free agent, 2006
—Sam Fran Scavuzzo
***Follow Me On Twitter samfrans***
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