Ranking the Phillies Left-Handed Relievers

In 2018, the Phillies attempted to base their relievers’ pitching roles on matchups. It makes logical sense, but considering the talent they had from left-handed relievers, it did not end particularly well. Against left-handed batters, Phillies relievers allowed the 6th highest wOBA of any bullpen in the MLB. Since the end of 2018, Luis Avilan and Aaron Loup were let go. The Phillies currently have 4 left-handed relievers under team control with a shot to make the Opening Day roster. Even so, they are heavily targeting coveted free agents such as Andrew Miller and Zach Britton, it even sounds as if they are the favorite for them. Chances are, only 2 or 3 left-handed relievers make the Opening Day roster, considering the depth the bullpen already offers as well as Tommy Hunter’s ability to act as a platoon advantage.

4. Austin Davis

Austin Davis was never really a top prospect. He was drafted in the 12th round in the 2014 MLB draft and made his debut in June of 2018. He only really made headlines for his infamous encounter with Joe West, and overall had a mediocre, if not disappointing, season. Davis represents the youngest option to the Phillies, but also with the worst track record. Chances are, even if the Phillies view him as better than the others, he starts the season in AAA because he has options.

In only 34 career innings, Davis has posted an ERA of 4.15, an xFIP of 3.85, and a DRA of 4.29. His season certainly wasn’t horrible and showed promise through striking out over a quarter of all batters and having an impressively low amount of pitches in the zone actually hit. Davis represents a potential career in the future, but considering he hasn’t ever proven to be more than average, and his 2nd half ERA was actually worse than his 1st half, it doesn’t appear as if he will mean much for the 2019 team. He also does not fit much in a LOOGY role, as he allowed a .408 wOBA to left-handed batters in his rookie season. Nonetheless, the team does not need to give up on Davis. In 2018, only one left-handed reliever younger than Davis, Caleb Ferguson, matched his innings pitched, strikeout rate, walk rate, and groundball rate.