Skip to main content

ProspectNation 2011: #21 Jonathan Pettibone

Right-handed pitcher Jonathan Pettibone, a third round selection in the 2008 amateur draft by the Phillies, was a member of the Lakewood BlueClaws club that won a second consecutive South Atlantic League championship on 2010. As a member of the Class A 'Claws, Pettibone was a force on the team's starting staff. In 24 games (23 starts) he posted a record of 8-6 with a 3.49 ERA.

Pettibone is an aggressive pitcher who steadily focuses on attacking the strike zone and trusts his defense to get outs behind him. His pitch repertoire consists of a four-seam fastball that was clocked at 94mph during the playoffs in September, a change up and a curve ball.

The California native, Pettibone, improved his velocity this past season by working closely with pitching coach Steve Schrenk to adjust his mechanics and extension. His results on the mound became increasingly solid as the 2010 season progressed and he opened many eyes within the organization and outside of it, as teams made their interest in the 6'5" 200 pounder known to the Phillies. After posting a 5.04 ERA in 12 games through the end of June, Pettibone served up a 2.37 ERA over his final 12 appearances of the regular season.

In the postseason, Pettibone continued to shine brightly. He hurled a gem in Lakewood's first round playoff series against the Hickory Crawdads, striking out 9 batters in 7 innings, while allowing just 1 hit against the Texas Rangers affiliate. He also notched the win that clinched the SAL championship for the BlueClaws, with a 5 strike out, 1 walk, 2 earned run performance in 5 innings against Boston affiliate, the Greenville Drive.

Previously, Pettibone spent the 2009 season with the short season Williamsport Crosscutters. While there, Pettibone went 2-4 with a 5.35 ERA while striking out 36 batters in 35 1/3 innings, over 9 games.

Going forward as a member of a stacked group of young starting pitchers ready to make a move into the High A Level Clearwater starting rotation next season, Pettibone will have some serious competition for one of those spots from guys like Trevor May, Jarred Cosart, Brody Colvin, Colby Shreve and Nick Hernandez.

Former Major League catcher Mark Parent, who managed Pettibone with Lakewood in 2010, describes the lanky pitcher as a guy who seems to have a lot left in the tank at the end of his outings.

Headed forward, Pettibone certainly remains a young hurler that Phillies fans should be excited about and looking forward to becoming more familiar with, as he ascends toward the Major Leagues.

________________________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Connect with PhoulBallz.com on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Eric B Needs to be Cut (and My Name is Rakim)

While the Phillies are on a hot streak this month, one player on the team is not. Eric Bruntlett is 1-for-12 in July. Since the start of May, Bruntlett's apex in batting average has been .167 on June 14th. Bruntlett's ineptitude can be tolerated no longer. Get rid of this guy NOW! Eric B. is the 2009 Endy Chavez. Remember Endy...the guy who in 2005 managed just 2 hits in his final 42 games played as a Phillie? That is about the sort of output the Phillies are getting from Bruntlett, and it's time to fix this void. Julio Lugo was designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox and is expected to become a free agent. The Metropolitans are rumored to be interested. Why wouldn't the Phillies be interested in a guy who could surely outhit Bruntlett? Lugo was hitting .284 through 37 games played this season with Boston. Suspended Lehigh Valley IronPig Pablo Ozuna is eligible to return next Wednesday. Ozuna is batting .294 through 51 games at triple A. Miguel Cairo is also...

Yankees Fans Misled By Pepsi Promotion

**** Today, New York Yankees fans attended a Pepsi promotion in Times Square hoping for chances to win opening day tickets to the new stadium, but the tickets, which were difficult to track down due to poor organization on Pepsi's part, were actually for a game in June. Furthermore, the 250 pairs that were promised were actually only 100 pairs. The fans, who were made to sprint through traffic over multiple city blocks when locations for the promotion changed, quickly turned against the soda brand by pooring out their beverages and chanting anti-Pepsi phrases. Yankees fans are even threatening a boycott of Pepsi. An appearance by Yankee great Goose Gossage could not even settle the angry mob, as he had to be whisked away, as a precaution, according to the Daily News . Ooo , I'd hate to see what "the worst fans in sports" (Philadelphia fans) would have done to their free Pepsi cans and beloved reliever in that situation. Because this happened in a non-Philly city, th...

5th spot, Wall, Old timers, Links

The race for the Phillies' fifth starter spot is still on. While it's not fully fair to compare Grapefruit League stats, when some of the pitchers have had "B game" and scrimmage outings mixed in, Kyle Kendrick and Carlos Carrasco look to be falling behind Chan Ho Park and "Jay" Happ. Happ added to his solid Grapefruit League stats (2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP in 4 games) today against the Rays. Pitching coach Rich Dubee had been displeased with Kendrick even before he surrendered 8 earned runs in 3 innings of work yesterday against the Braves. Park has been working on improving his change up, with (Coach) Jamie Moyer. Park noticed Moyer's location control on his change, so he sought out Moyer to teach him the grip and positioning of the ball. Moyer, of course, feels good about helping anyone on the Phils' staff. Park has been coached by greats like Nolan Ryan with the Rangers and Sandy Koufax with the Dodgers, so Moyer is in great company. Park is working h...