Shortly after the Phillies dropped their spring training opener to the Houston Astros, 8-3, word broke that the first roster change of the year had been executed. The Phillies traded relief pitcher Michael Schwimer to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for first base prospect Art Charles. Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly was the first to officially report the move on Twitter.
Schwimer to Jays for 1b Art Charles. Minor leaguer.
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) February 23, 2013
Schwimer had appeared in 68 games over two seasons with the Phillies, accumulating a 3-2 record and 4.62 ERA and 1.397 WHIP. The relative depth in the bullpen for the Phillies allowed the team to make a roster move.
In return the Phillies will be adding the 6' 6", 221 pound left hitting 22-year old Charles. Last season Charles hit .236 in 33 games with the Class A Short-Season Vancouver Canadians, an affiliate for the Blue Jays. In 127 at-bats, Charles recorded 30 hits, 10 doubles, and seven home runs. He struck out 41 times and walked 13 times.
One thing he appears to have going for him based on some small sample sizes appears to be his batting average against lefties (.286) vs. righties (.222).
We will see just how Charles fits in to the long term plans for the Phillies of course. Do not expect him to be filling in for Ryan Howard at any point soon.
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