Debated heavily since being acquired in the lopsided Ken Giles trade with the Astros, the time for the Phillies to move former second-rounder Vince Velasquez to the bullpen has finally arrived. The lively-armed Velasquez, 26, is currently locked in a four man race for the bottom two rotation spots- competing with fellow youngsters Nick Pivetta (26), Zach Eflin (24), and Jerad Eickhoff (28).
Aside from Pivetta, perhaps, none of the pitchers in the hunt for a rotation spot figure to be much more than number four starters, at best, this season. The quartet have all flashed potential in the past, but with such little difference in talent level the spring battle for a starting spot ultimately may not make impact the season outcome all that much. With that in mind, the Phillies would be much better served transforming the hard-throwing Velasquez from a fringe starter to a spark plug out of the bullpen.
A regular in the starting rotation since 2016, Velasquez has averaged an impressive 9.8 K/9 over the last three seasons. Unfortunately, his habit of making batters whiff hasn’t correlated with much success, as the California native has averaged a 4.63 ERA over the same span. Additionally, since making his MLB debut in 2015, Velasquez has yet to record a season with a sub-4.00 ERA.
Lack of command and the inability to maintain a modest pitch count deep into ball games are largely at fault for the promising pitcher’s lack of success thus far. Velasquez generally seems overly concerned with punching out batters as opposed to generating soft contact and it has lead to habitually having his pitch count balloon during his second time through the order. It’s a cycle that’s haunted him during his brief tenure in the senior circuit and one he hasn’t shown much signs of improvement in.
A move to the pen, however, would allow him to perform as the strikeout-king he is by nature. Having removed the burden of maintaining his pitch count throughout the latter innings, Velasquez could focus all of his efforts on recording just three outs, ideally making him a more refreshed and efficient pitcher.
Shifting Velasquez to the bullpen wouldn’t be an unprecedented move, of course, as big-leaguers John Smoltz, Tom Ford, and Kerry Wood have all flourished after a similar change in position. Given that the Phillies don’t exactly need Velasquez in the rotation to compete for the playoffs or hold lofty expectations for the right-hander, now seems like as good a time as any to start his trial run in the bullpen. Maybe he is less effective out of the pen and the Phillies simply throw him back in the fray for a bottom rotation spot- no harm done. Or maybe, just maybe, a relief role serves as an avenue for Velasquez to maximize his potential and the Phillies add another power arm to their already impressive collection. One way or another, there is only one to find out.
Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
