Phillies make things interesting by calling up relief prospect Phillippe Aumont
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Phillies make things interesting by calling up relief prospect Phillippe Aumont
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
The Phillies' bullpen auditions just got a lot more interesting. The team announced after tonight's win over the Reds that it had recalled right-hander Phillippe Aumont to replace lefty Jeremy Horst, who was placed on the three-day paternity leave list. Aumont, you probably remember, was the centerpiece of the trade that sent Cliff Lee to the Mariners after the 2009 season. It has been an up-and-down season for the big righty. In 41 appearances at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he recorded 15 saves, posting a 4.26 ERA with 49 strikeouts and 34 walks in 44 1/3 innings.
His last 10 games tell the story of his time in the system. His last time out, he allowed four runs on three hits and a walk without recording a strikeout in 2/3rds of an inning. In the three outings before that, he allowed one baserunner and struck out four. In the three outings before that, he allowed five hits and five walks with five strikeouts and three runs in four innings. And in the three outings before that he allowed one baserunner with three strikeouts in three scoreless innings.
Aumont has a huge arm. He also throws a curve ball and a splitter. Command and composure have been the two big issues with him. Assuming he is here for the rest of the season, it will give fans something interesting to watch as the Phillies try to get a read on their bullpen in advance of what is sure to be a busy offseason.
UPDATED, 11:16 p.m.
Somebody on Twitter asked why the Phillies picked Aumont over righthander Justin De Fratus, who was a September call-up last season and entered spring training as arguably the top relief prospect in the organization. Long story short, the Phillies seem determined to err on the side of caution with regard to De Fratus' elbow, which caused him to miss the first half of the season after he developed a case of inflammation in spring training.
De Fratus has pitched in 17 games since returning from the disabled list, striking out 19 while walking two with a 2.41 ERA in 18 2/3 innings. But he has only pitched on back-to-back days once since returning. In fact, he has had at least two days of rest before 14 of his 17 outings. The minor leagues are a much more structured environment than the majors when it comes to divying up workload. I don't think the Phillies felt like throwing De Fratus into the fire yet.
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I'm sorry. This guy has been this way for all the seasons he's been in pro ball. It's like Bastardo. People are wondering why Bastardo has been so wild for the 2nd half of last year and all of this year but forget that he also spent all his minor league time as a pitcher who couldn't be trusted with his control. I'm a fan and will hope for the best but I don't buy that guys like this can be fixed. It's fools gold. Great for a game or two then wild and unreliable for the next 3.— Sewellmatt- expect Aumont to blow the game for Lee tomorrow...Cluelss Rube and Chollie are committed to ruining every Lee start this season— warbiscuit
- thats actually pretty funny seeing how Lee has not once blown a lead all by himself this year. — ESFjellin
- This big arm has no heart or brain attached to it. He throws too many 56 ft splitters and too many 6 ft high fastballs. I've said it for 2+ years now....he will never be a meanigful MLB pitcher. A wasted roster space.— Mark1npt
- What..no Hector Luna? Cholly could have hit him clean up— Ssteve115
- agree. I like Hector and his approach to the game. He has come through in prior games. I don't know why Cholly doesn't play him more, especially to pinch hit.
— dogman5 - Aumont is still a full season away from being a dominant back end of the bullpen guy. He needs another season at AAA to master control issues. If a guy can't go 14-2 at AAA,,,,,,um.....never mind.— drhoffman
- They figure, bring him up and Dubee can fix anything that's wrong.
That's sarcasm, by the way.— The K Man - Bad idea. The guy has lousy mechanics and always pitches behind in the count.— NewMick314
- I like the move. If he steps it up and has some good innings, it gives him something positive to build on. If he gets rocked, nothing lost.— jtj06
- its been three years since the trade, might as well see if you can get something back on this investment. What is the paternity leave anyway, 3 days? He may not pitch so it should be interesting to see what happens.— ESFjellin
- Another example of the Rube's poor assessment of players coming in a trade. He's stuck with another dead horse once more hoping the person shows promise so he can go into the CYA mode. Rube, you've wasted too much oats on too many dead horses. Call "Hopalong Gillick" to round up better talent . Your lasso catches only the slow ones !— phineas
- Dont agree calling Aumont another Bastardo Bastardo was very effective in 2011 till last 5 weeks. Antonio lost 4 miles off fastball last sept which may have been to overuse and tired arm. He had never pitched that much. His control desertrd him at time this year but still has plus arm. Aumont's work in minors dont project much success in MLB. Sometimes the light just goes on later for some pitchers. Phillipe is young has a live arm but I would not bet on him right now.— don whitman
Wasn't this guy pinched for coke a few years ago after the trade? Think it got hushed up pretty quick.— The Monk- That wasn't Aumont--it was Tyson Gillies, one of the other two guys the Phils got in the Cliff Lee trade.
Now Gillies has been suspended indefinitely for "violating team rules" at Reading. Not sure what that means, but he seems like a real winner.
— steveinphilly
