Phillies Notes: Diekman, Giles prepare to bring the heat again
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The core of the Phillies' young bullpen gathered Sunday morning on the back pitching mounds of the Carpenter Complex. Jake Diekman and Ken Giles - two of the hardest-throwing pitchers in camp - threw simultaneously to complete their second bullpen sessions of spring training.
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CLEARWATER, Fla. - The core of the Phillies' young bullpen gathered Sunday morning on the back pitching mounds of the Carpenter Complex. Jake Diekman and Ken Giles - two of the hardest-throwing pitchers in camp - threw simultaneously to complete their second bullpen sessions of spring training.
The two relievers are preparing for their first regular season with defined roles as they will be responsible for being the bridge between the starting pitcher and closer Jonathan Papelbon. They likely won't be tied to certain innings, as manager Ryne Sandberg could use them interchangeably depending on matchups.
"Last year was a huge growing year with the success that they had," Sandberg said. "I look for them to add to that."
Diekman, 28, struck out 100 batters in 71 innings last season. It was the second-highest mark by a reliever in team history. The lefty's fastball hovered near 97 m.p.h. He kept hitters honest by throwing his highest percentage of sliders in three seasons, according to FanGraphs.
Giles, a righty, debuted in June and recorded a 1.18 ERA in 44 appearances. It was the second-lowest ERA ever by a Phillies rookie. The 24-year-old's fastball can reach 100 m.p.h. and he said he is working this spring on better command of his slider. Pegged as the team's future closer, Giles could move into that role sooner if the Phillies opt to part ways with Papelbon.
Asche back at third
Cody Asche has spent time catching fly balls in left field, but Sandberg said he wants the 24-year-old to spend "95-96 percent of his time being ready to play third base on opening day."
Extra bases
Righthander Chad Billingsley, coming off shoulder surgeries each of the last two years, is on a different throwing program than the other pitchers. He took two days between bullpen sessions as opposed to just one. On Monday he will increase his pitches from 40 to 50. . . . Chase Utley took batting practice at Bright House Field. He will hold a news conference on Monday.
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Jake Kaplan contributed to this article.