When the Phillies traded away Seranthony Dominguez to Baltimore, the secret was out that they were seeking bullpen help. On Saturday, the Phillies completed their 3rd deal with the Angels in as many years. They acquired closer Carlos Estévez for pitching prospects George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri. Ken Rosenthal was first on the news.
Phillies trade for Carlos Estévez
Estévez gives the Phillies another arm to the back end of their bullpen. A right-handed pitcher, Estévez is in the middle of a career season. He has a 2.34 ERA with 20 saves for the Halos. He features a 96 MPH fastball, a slider, and a changeup. Opposing hitters are only hitting .148 against his slider and .154 against his changeup.
In his past 3 seasons, Estévez has a 3.40 ERA over 153.1 IP. Since joining the Angels last season, he has a 10.3 K/9.
He’s coming at the cost of the Phillies’ 2 fastest-rising pitching prospects in George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri. Klassen was a 6th-round pick in the 2023 draft. In A-ball this season, he had a 0.71 ERA in 38 IP with 57 K. Since being moved to High-A Jersey Shore, he has a 4.22 ERA while still striking out 13.5 batters per 9 innings.
The Phillies signed Aldegheri out of Italy in 2021. He started the season at Jersey Shore where he posted a 3.18 ERA over 68 IP. In 2 starts with Double-A Reading, he’s allowed 4 runs in 10 IP. He’s had an identical 12.6 K/9 at each level.
Carlos Estévez will most likely mix in with Jose Alvarado, Jeff Hoffman, and Matt Strahm for high-leverage situations out of the pen. The Phillies haven’t used a designated closer this season and probably won’t the rest of the way.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
