The contestants on "Who Wants to Be the Phillies Fifth Starter"

This very topic is going to produce a lot of chatter in the five weeks remaining until the start of the regular season.  So why not get a jump on it?

In the running for the fifth spot in the rotation for the Philadelphia Phillies are a 14-year veteran, an ex-rotation member, a giant lefty, and a top prospect. That crew makes for good reality TV, along with the guys in the bullpen.  

Picking a winner from the four participants it is a tough call.  The job is completely up for grabs from where I’m sitting, which is not in Clearwater where the competition is going down.  Here is a breakdown of the pitchers involved: Chan Ho Park, Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ, and Carlos Carrasco

CHAN HO PARK:

Park has been around the game for a long time and although his stats recently have not been awe-inspiring, veterans usually get the longest look.  The 14-year pitcher has had rocky stints with Texas, San Diego and the New York Mets before his resurgence out of the bullpen last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Long gone are the days of 18 wins and 230-plus innings for Park.  He hasn’t won double-digits in a season since 2005 and before his comeback performance last season, hadn’t been below five in ERA in six years!  The Phillies seem to be relying on one good year in hopes that he can become the starter he was many moons ago.  In my opinion, Park would be better suited for the ‘pen because of his ability to hit 95 or more on the radar gun.  Plus, his track record indicates he can no longer get it done as a starter.  However, the Phils will give him an opportunity, and Park is working hard.  He has already turned down an offer to pitch for his homeland of Korea in the World Baseball Classic.  He’s focused to say the least.

Chance he wins the job: 40 percent

KYLE KENDRICK:

My, what a difference a year is.  Kendrick was outstanding during his 2007 rookie campaign, going 10-4 with a sub-four ERA.  He didn’t overpower, but continually fooled hitters with his off speed stuff.  

Last year was a different story.  Although he got to 11 wins, thank the Phillies offense for that total.  His ERA was at five-and-a-half and his confidence nowhere to be found. He was shelled to the tune of 194 hits in 155 innings.  Luckily for the Phils, he was an innings eater at the back of the rotation, which in a way still helps.  Kendrick needs to get back to the form that made him famous in Philly back in ’07.  There are many indications that pitching coach Rich Dubee wants Kendrick there, but he will be thrown no favors.  The Phillies need a rock at the back of the staff, and if Kendrick shows any signs that he has not matured, he’s looking at bullpen duty, or worse.

I would love to see Kendrick regain his mojo from a few years back, but sadly he just doesn’t have electric stuff.  He’ll work his but off, but might need more luck than anything to get back his job in the five slot.

Chance he wins the job: 25 percent

J.A. HAPP

The 6-foot-6 left hander got one step closer to big league status last year, but it appears his time is running out. Happ went 1-1 in eight appearances, four starts, and had a respectable 3.70 ERA in 2008.  His first start of the season came on July 4 against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park; and the kid did not disappoint.  He went just 4 2/3 innings, but kept the Phillies in it long enough for the bullpen to take over and the Phillies eventually won in the ninth on a Shane Victorino RBI hit.  It’s those kind of performances that catch the eye of the decision makers.

That’s why Happ is in the running right now.  His stuff is by no means overpowering either, but he has shown he can pitch in sticky situations.  Happ will get the opportunity to start off on the right foot against Toronto on Thursday, along with Carlos Carrasco.  

Happ is another pitcher who may be better off in the bullpen as a situational lefty, or back down with triple-A Lehigh Valley.  In the minors, he can still work on refining his game, and he still has time on his side as he is just 26.  With the bullpen hurting because of JC Romero’s suspension, the Phils will no doubt take a hard look at him in the bullpen.

Chance he wins the job: 15 percent

CARLOS CARRASCO

The prized piece of the Phillies stable of arms in the minors is Carlos Carrasco.  At 21-years old, he is very much in the competition; so don’t let the age fool you.

The kid has decent stuff and while he hasn’t seen the light of day in the bigs yet, that time is rapidly approaching. Carrasco struggled a bit at Double-A Reading last season, posting just a 7-7 record with an ERA in the four’s.  He moved to Triple-A for six starts last season, and flourished at the higher level, going 2-2 with an ERA south of two. He also had 46 strikeouts through those final six games, and registered them in just 36 innings.  

My thought is that they will keep him on ice for another year, but why wait.  If he deserves to be there, let the kid do his thing in the majors.  That isn’t likely given how organizations now handle their top-flight pitching prospects, but I would love for Carrasco to win out fair and square over the other “older” pitchers.

Chances he wins the job: 20 percent

 OTHER PHILLIES NEWS:

• Scott Eyre in dire straits financially
• When Manny signs, does anyone hear it?
  
• Best places to watch the Phils play