There is a minor-league pitcher who could help the Philadelphia Phillies during the stretch run. While the Phillies have a few pitching prospects at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, there is a player with MLB experience who can make an impact during the stretch run. It is also possible that Tyler Gilbert could help the Phillies win a World Series in October. During the stretch run in 2023, the Phillies called up Orion Kerkering, who became a key part of the Phillies postseason bullpen. There are some major differences between the two situations. However, Gilbert is a player that could have a similar impact.
The Phillies originally drafted Gilbert in the sixth round of the 2015 draft. The Phillies later traded Gilbert to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Kyle Garlick in 2020. After stops with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who selected Gilbert in the Rule 5 Draft during the 2020 offseason, and the Cincinnati Reds organizations, Gilbert returned to the Phillies organization in May. Gilbert made 28 major league appearances, including 13 starts with the Diamondbacks, and has a 2-7 record in the majors with a 4.32 ERA and 64 strikeouts. He has a 97 ERA+ and a 4.73 FIP in the majors. Gilbert won NL Player of the Week for the week of August 15, 2021.
Pitcher That Could Help The Phillies
Start To The Minor League Season
Gilbert started 2024 poorly with the Reds Triple-A affiliate. In seven outings, including three starts, Gilbert had an 0-1 record with a 13.11 ERA and 13 strikeouts. Gilbert had a 2.82 FIP during that span. In addition, Gilbert had a 20.6% strikeout rate and a 9.5% walk rate. Gilbert had a 2.57 WHIP as well. Opposing batters had a .421 average and a .545 BABIP against Gilbert. To make matters worse, opposing batters had an 86.0 mph average exit velocity and a 14.4 average launch angle against Gilbert.
Furthermore, opposing batters hit the ball to the opposite field 38.6% percent of the time. For comparison, opposing batters pulled the ball 31.8% of the time. Gilbert allowed line drives 40.5% of the time. He also allowed ground balls 35.7% of the time. Gilbert left 43.3 of the runners he allowed to reach base on base. This led to Gilbert being released by the Reds. The Phillies then claimed Gilbert off of waivers. This gave Gilbert a second chance with the organization that drafted him.
New Role Leads To Major Improvements
When Gilbert joined Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he was given a new role. Gilbert is closing for the team and has not started a game for them. Since rejoining the Phillies organization, Gilbert has had a 4-0 record with a 2.06 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 27 outings. Gilbert has also recorded seven saves and four holds and has a 2.56 FIP in this span. He has a 33.3% strikeout rate and a 4.2% walk rate. Gilbert also has a 1.03 WHIP. Opposing batters have a .221 average and a .318 BABIP against Gilbert.
Meanwhile, opposing batters pull the ball 49.4% of the time. The ball is being hit to the opposite field 33.7% of the time. Gilbert has allowed line drives 18.6% of the time and ground balls 58.1% of the time—an average exit velocity of 84.4 mph and an average launch angle of 14.4 allowed by Gilbert. Additionally, Gilbert increased the velocity of his five pitchers during that time frame. The pitch that has seen the most improvement is the sinker. Gilbert is throwing the sinker 16% more often. The velocity of that pitch has increased by 1.2 mph as well.
What Role Gilbert Would Be In With The Phillies
Gilbert could play multiple roles as the pitcher who could help the Phillies. If Gilbert is called up during roster expansion in September, he will likely be a long-relief or middle-relief pitcher. Gilbert can probably pitch multiple innings but would not be making starts. That is a role Max Lazar has been fulfilling since being called up. Having Gilbert pitch in high-leverage situations may also be a possibility. That is dependent on which pitchers may be available during a given game.
Gilbert must be added to the Phillies 40-man roster by August 31 to pitch in the postseason. If Gilbert is on the postseason roster, it likely means that Taijuan Walker or Spencer Turnbull is not. In the postseason Gilbert could serve as a bridge relief pitcher with Walker or Turnbull. If the Phillies use one bridge relief pitcher, Gilbert would be in the group of pitchers in a hybrid role along with Kerkering, Tanner Banks, and someone else. These pitchers would be used in both high-leverage and low-leverage situations.
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