Camp looking strong this spring

SARASOTA, Fla. - This will not surprise anybody who was conscious during last baseball season, but the Phillies bullpen was not very good at throwing strikes. No bullpen in the majors was worse at it. Relievers faced 2,101 batters during the 2013 season, and an astounding 10.8 percent of them reached base via walk. The only teams within a percentage point of that mark were the Astros, White Sox, Cubs, Angels, Mariners and Indians. Five of those teams play in the American League. The other was taking a seasonlong mulligan.

Given that context, you can understand the message manager Ryne Sandberg and pitching coach Bob McClure have been pounding this spring. And you can understand why a guy like Shawn Camp seems like a pretty good bet to be a part of their Opening Day bullpen.

"The belief in camp from Ryno down to Bob is just to throw strikes and keep the ball down and take care of the running game," Camp said yesterday after logging his fourth straight scoreless inning, "and I feel like that kind of fits with what I do. I've put myself in a situation where, obviously in a great organization with the history of it, I treat it like my first season of my career and attack it that way."

Yesterday, Camp continued to do what he has done for most of his career, making quick work of the Orioles after starter A.J. Burnett started the sixth inning by issuing a walk and then surrendering a home run. David Lough struck out swinging, Jemile Weeks was thrown out trying to steal after reaching base on an infield single, and Nick Markakis grounded out. On the spring, Camp has retired 11 of the 15 batters, four via strikeout, without allowing an extra-base hit or a walk. Those numbers are indicative of the type of pitcher he has been since breaking into the majors at 28. In 538 appearances, he has walked just 6.9 percent while throwing 64.4 percent of his pitches for strikes (major league averages during that stretch: 8.4 percent and 62.9 percent).

"He comes in and makes the opposition beat you, mixes his pitches, throws strikes," Sandberg said. "He did a nice job right there maintaining the tone that was set early and picked up Burnett right there."

So who is Camp, and where does he fit into the Phillies 'pen?

The 38-year-old righthander coming off the worst season of his career. His velocity sits in the 86-to-88 mph range, but he disguises it with a slider and a changeup that he uses regularly.

Two years ago, he was one of the most dependable reliever in the National League, perhaps to the point of overdependence. The Cubs used him in nearly half of their games - his 80 appearances led the majors - and in a variety of roles. Thirteen times they used him for more than three outs, nineteen times for fewer than three outs. The workload clearly impacted him. After posting a 3.59 ERA with 6.3 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 and 0.8 HR/9 in 2012, Camp allowed 18 runs in 23 innings over 26 appearances in 2013, his strikeout rate dipping to 5.1 K/9, his walk rate rising (3.5 BB/9), and seven home runs.

Adhering to baseball code, Camp declined to blame his workload in 2012 for his struggles last year. But he also said he feels much more prepared physically this season. Four outings into his spring, it is showing.

"Guys just have bad seasons every once in awhile," Camp said. "Last year was mine. Unfortunately, it came after a year when I had a great year. I feel great. You go off how you feel. I don't care about age. It's not like I'm running out there with gray hair not feeling well. If I feel great, I'm going to keep playing. I feel like I can still compete at this level."

At this point, the only definite pieces of the Phillies bullpen are closer Jonathan Papelbon and setup men Antonio Bastardo and Jake Diekman. Veteran setup man Mike Adams, who is working his way back from shoulder surgery, is projected to join the group at some point after Opening Day. Offseason trade acquisition Brad Lincoln walked 22 batters in 31 2/3 innings last season and has walked two in 5 2/3 this spring, but he is out of options, and the Phillies will need a very good reason to part with pitching depth. Pencil him in.

That leaves two or three spots. Phillippe Aumont walked his fourth batter of the spring yesterday. He has one strikeout in six innings. Lefty Jeremy Horst has also struggled with his command and could wind up in Triple A.

Justin De Fratus, who saw extensive action last season, has five strikeouts and no walks in four innings (with one run allowed). B.J. Rosenberg, another familiar face from last season, has four strikeouts, one walk and one run allowed in six innings. Another contender is Rule 5 pick Kevin Munson, who has an arm the club likes, but who has walked eight batters while allowing seven hits in seven innings this spring.

With 3 weeks to go before Opening Day, the smart money is on Camp, De Fratus and either Rosenberg or Munson.

"Guys out of the bullpen need to establish the strike zone and work ahead in the count," Sandberg said. "That's something we didn't too well last year, so improvement is preached and needed in that regard. That's something we're still working on."

Said Camp: "Relief pitching, I think, is something that is overlooked at times, especially strike-throwers."

The Phillies, conversely, have that value seared into their memories.