The Phillies announced a series of roster moves Tuesday, selecting the contracts of right-handers Connor Brogdon and Blake Parker. In corresponding 40-man moves, Philadelphia designated outfielder/former top prospect Nick Williams and right-hander Trevor Kelley for assignment. Right-hander Nick Pivetta was also optioned to Philadelphia’s alternate training site.
Williams, 26, was considered one of the game’s 100 best prospects for several years but has yet to put things together in the Majors. The 2012 second-rounder went from Texas to Philadelphia as one of the centerpieces in the Cole Hamels blockbuster, but the club never seemed completely sold on his abilities. Williams fared reasonably well at the plate in 2017-18, hitting a combined .269/.330/.446 (105 wRC+ and OPS+), but defensive shortcomings overshadowed that respectable output at the plate.
Once the Phillies signed both Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen in the same offseason, the writing has appeared to be on the wall for Williams. He stuck with the club through the 2019 season by virtue of the fact that he had a pair of minor league options remaining, but playing time was sparse — even after Odubel Herrera was suspended and McCutchen tore his ACL. Williams in just 67 games and took only 112 plate appearances, batting a woeful .151/.196/.245 in that extremely limited role. A club looking for a low-cost outfield flier could do worse than speculating on Williams, but it’s also perhaps telling that he’s been a largely superfluous piece in Philadelphia for more than a year and has yet to be traded.
Kelley, 26, appeared in four games with the Phils this season but was tagged for four runs on eight hits and a walk in 3 1/3 frames. He’s appeared in the Majors in each of the past two seasons — with the Red Sox in 2019 — but struggled in a small sample of games. The former 36th-round pick has a sharp minor league track record in terms of ERA, but he’s never missed a huge number of bats or demonstrated particularly strong control. The Phils plucked him off waivers when the Red Sox designated him back in December.
Turning to Pivetta, the 27-year-old is in his final option year and could well be running out of chances with the Phils. He’s long been praised for his raw abilities, but Pivetta has yet to demonstrate that he can efficiently command what appears to be a solid arsenal of pitches. He’s been prone not only to walks, hit batsmen and wild pitches but also to the long ball.
At his best, Pivetta sits nearly 95 mph with his fastball, drops a curve with elite spin, generates swinging strikes at a strong 12 percent clip and averages nearly 11 punchouts per nine frames. However, those appealing traits are still accompanied by inconsistency and results that fall shy of what one might otherwise expect from a pitcher with his stuff. Philadelphia has tried him both as a starter and reliever, and he’s offered glimpses of his potential at numerous points without settling in as a consistent contributor.
As for today’s two new additions, Parker is a well-known reliever who spent half the 2019 season with the Phils. The former Angels and Twins closer has a mid-90s heater and a big splitter that can function as an out pitch when he’s at his best. Consistency has been an issue for him as well, but the 35-year-old has a career 3.56 ERA, 10.1 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 285 2/3 frames.
The 25-year-old Brogdon will make his MLB debut the first time he takes the hill. The Phillies’ 10th-round pick back in 2017, Brogdon skyrocketed across three levels last year, ultimately putting together a combined 2.61 ERA with 106-to-24 K/BB ratio (12.6 K/9, 2.8 BB/9) in 76 innings of relief.
Brogdon has some good stuff
Yes. Very excited he’s getting his shot. I would have called up Addison Russ with him instead of Blake as well.
Parker didnt look too great last year but he’s generally looked better in most of his full seasons of work. He’s also somebody you can DFA without a huge threat of losing him. I like Russ too but he’ll still be there if Parker falters.
Phillies fan got their wish with Pivetta.
Gotta think Williams gets claimed by someone. Prior to 2019 he had a career 106 wRC+ and a former prospect pedigree. Orioles, Marlins, Rangers, Pirates, Tigers could all take a shot before he hits arb.
This bullpen sucks
Why Pivetta? He did get an out……….
This ends the long and painful saga with Nicky Dubs. I really wanted things to work out with him and it just never clicked at the major league level.
When is this experiment with Nick Pivetta going to end? I understand that the front office likes his “stuff”, buts it’s time to move on. Glad they chose to option him.
It isn’t only the Phillies who like Pivetta’s stuff. Watching him in a bullpen session you’d see someone with major league talent. He just couldn’t get that talent to translate to getting major league hitters out. At this point his biggest problem may be between the ears. Same thing with Nick. Hopefully he’ll get an opportunity elsewhere. Wish them well.
Nobody left from the Cole Hamels trade, not all lost yet since they dealt Alfaro to Marlins for Relmuto.
it reminds a lot of the Yelich trade in hindsight. lots of talented prospects but all with flaws. explains why a team would be willing to part with so much talent in one trade.
they were willing to part with them because it was Nomar Mazara, Joey Gallo or Chi Chi Gonzalez.
Williams will be claimed. He had an OPS north of 900 last year in AAA
@FarhanZaidi, Williams would be a good add if he figures things out and gets consistent playing time
Kapler hates him so Farhan won’t move there. Kapler literally went on record to trash his ability.
No offense to Nicky Dubs, but Kapler was sort of right on that one.
If Williams goes unclaimed he should try to go to the NPB or KBO.
I agree. Aaron Altherr has figured it out in the KBO. Halfway through the 2020 KBO season Altherr is hitting .292 with 19 HR and 64 RBI.
Pirates have first priority. He fits their m.o. cheap.
Nick Williams has talent with right adjustments and good coaching. He could turn it around quickly
agreed. a change of scenery should also help.
good, though i would have designated Pivetta instead of Williams, or would have just not designated EDLS.
Nick Pivetta has had more chances than his stats say he deserved. He almost blew a 12 run lead in 1 inning. He is historically bad. It’s time to say goodbye and good luck. Maybe a change of scenery will do him well.
Honestly Von I’m upset that he was optioned even though he has them. Just cut him loose already. I’m beyond over it.
him and VV
VV at least shows signs of being a usable 5th starter for desperate teams. Pivetta is hopeless.
I’m a pretty patient person, but even I lost all hope in Pivetta after last year. I watched last night’s implosion and felt sorry for him. Maybe he’ll wind up being one of those guys who needs a change of scenery. I wish him well, but it’s time to say goodbye.
what was annoying was Girardi was clearly putting him like how he did with Davis the other night. he figured they would be able to pitch an inning and save the other RP arms for later. it was assumed that they had enough of a lead that, even with them allowing runs being expected, the game wouod be safe. the simple fact that these guys cant even come in in such low leverage situations and get a few outs is obnoxious. the team would have not cared if Pivetta allowed several runs, as long as the lead was preserved, but at the rate he was going even the 12 run lead wasnt safe.
Most of the current pitchers on this roster need to go. Not much good pitching consistency. Can’t wait for Arrieta to be done here as well.
I’m with you but at least he’s been decent this year. The rotation as a whole has actually been pretty solid. That bullpen though…
Arrieta looks good so far but that’s my worry. Has a great year and Phillies sign him again then he sucks right again.
Arrieta looked great in 2 starts. I love our top 3 this year. It goes downhill fast after that. Even if Eflin and VV step up, we have no bridge to our closer (who is underrated by the way). It’s a sad state of affairs.
Eflin will be great if he can stay healthy and without the meddling Chris Young
Williams will go to the yanks and hit 50 HRs.
Nick is a great kid and super hard worker. I worked out with him a bit over the winter prior to 2018 season. Humble kid. Hope he lands on his feet and gets a better oppty to showcase his talent somewhere else.
The Pirates might very well take a shot on Williams (IF he’s cheap, of course) since Philip Evans is hurt and the only solid contact Polanco has made these year was with Philip Evans’ head…they could use a RF.
You’re right about that. First and foremost for PIT is not just that Williams is willing to work cheap, he has to be willing to work for food, and I’m talking off-brand ramen like twice a day tops.
Pivetta is a classic has great stuff but no clue how to pitch guy. He’s been given plenty of chances,it’s time to move on.
Pirates could use Nicky Dubs, he ans Josh Bell are friends.
With Odubel not on the 60 man I assume he gets his full salary for 2020, is that correct? I know the Phillies wanted to trade him, but if It were me I would’ve added him just to not pay his full salary and make him ride the pine (but I am also pretty spiteful).
He’s still under contract and it counts against the luxury tax, so i dont see why it wouldnt be prorated.
I think I confused myself with off the 60 and released. I looked it up and he’s getting around 2.7 million this year.
Herrera and Inciarte will always be tied together in my mind. Similar contract, signed same time, same division and position. And to think I actually was a bit jealous of the Phillies for locking him in at that time. That plate discipline fell off a cliff after that pre-contract year.
Both Nicks may be a nice guys with “all the tools”. But I’m so tired of hanging on to overhyped prospects. Nick Williams, Pivetta, Hasely, Quinn. Heck even Hoskins looks completely lost over the last year.
what on earth has Haseley done to tick you off? the guy is a stud defender and has a great bat too.
He’s a 4th or 5th outfielder at best. Just like Nick. Not ticked.