Skip to main content

Phillies On Deck, Vol. 2: De Fratus & Aumont

From time to time this off-season, we'll take a look at young players within the Phillies organization that could impact the big league roster in 2012. In this edition, relievers Justin De Fratus and Phillippe Aumont will be the focus, as they target filling out a Philadelphia bullpen that has multiple potential vacancies.

With the Phillies' refusal of Brad Lidge's option and with free agent Ryan Madson possibly on the move out of town, the club has some openings up for grabs in the coming season. A pair of young fireballers stand a great shot at filling those voids on the roster for the five-time defending National League East division champions.

Righty hurlers Justin De Fratus and Phillippe Aumont are two of the top candidates to make a big splash on the Phillies pitching staff next year. Each of the two relievers looked sharp at two levels of the developmental ranks this year.

De Fratus was drafted in the 11th round of the 2007 amateur draft by the Phillies. Often praised for his control, De Fratus has seen his stock rise based on his improved abilities to get batters to swing and miss. In recent years, the 6-foot-4-inch 220-pounder has seen his K/9 rate go from 8.84 in 2008 and 2009, to 9.83 in 2010, then to 11.86 in 2011.

The California native, De Fratus, has a repertoire that includes a fastball that tops out at 96 MPH, a slider which he improved in the Arizona Fall League last year after working with former Major Leaguer Ricky Bones and a deceptive change up.

Combined with Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2011, De Fratus posted a 6-3 record with 15 saves, a 2.99 ERA and a .227 batting average against.

The exceptional efforts during his minor league campaign earned De Fratus a promotion to the big leagues in September. In 5 games with the Phillies, the 23-year-old held opponents to a .083 batting average and posted a 2.25 ERA.

Another relief pitcher on the verge of cracking the big league roster is Quebec native Phillippe Aumont, who was acquired as part of the return from Seattle in the December 2009 Cliff Lee trade. Initially, Aumont struggled in the Phils' system, as he was moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation. He began the 2010 season in Double-A Reading and went 1-6 with a 7.43 ERA in 11 starts before being demoted to Class A Advanced Clearwater. Back in his more familiar role as a reliever, in 2011, Aumont shined.

The 22-year-old held opponents to a .216 batting average and struck out 78 batters in 53 2/3 innings pitched in 43 combined games for Reading and Lehigh. In addition, Aumont posted a 2-5 record with 7 saves and a 2.68 ERA.

Aumont is an imposing figure that overpowers the competition not just physically, but with his intensity as well. The 6-foot-7-inch 255-pounder sports a four-seam fastball that registered at 97-98 MPH regularly throughout the 2011 season. Originally a first round draft choice of the Mariners in 2007, Aumont's repertoire also includes a strong curveball, a sinker and a split, all of which give Aumont the type of focus and swagger that should translate well as he continues to ascend up the developmental ranks.

Together, De Fratus and Aumont helped lead the Lehigh Valley IronPigs into the postseason in 2011. Each of these youngsters have much to prove in order to earn a spot with the Phillies, but both are focused on earning a roster spot next year. With some veterans on the move, arms like De Fratus' and Aumont's will be closely watched in spring training and given opportunities to become the next pitchers to rock those red Phillies pinstripes and make an impact.

________________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE

Comments

Bob Loblaw said…
No love for Scott Mathieson?
Jay Floyd said…
Not at all. Mathieson is not on deck any longer. He's way in the back...behind the shed.

I like Mathieson very much, but he hasn't been a prospect in quite some time and has had plenty of chances to crack the roster.
OBC said…
Aumont into the upper 90's is encouraging. Looking forward to him reaching to bigs.

Popular posts from this blog

2021 Phillies Top Prospects Countdown: #22 SS Casey Martin

Please visit Patreon.com/PhoulBallz in order to support my work, get access to material like this before anyone else and get access to interviews as well as other exclusive content you can't get anywhere else.   A third round draft pick last year, Arkansas junior Casey Martin was quickly signed by the Phillies and consideration as one of the organization's top infield prospects quickly began.  The team's confidence in his ceiling is likely evident in the signing bonus he got, which was reportedly $1.3 million, which was considerably more than slot money dictated by his 87th overall draft position ($685K). The right-handed batting Martin tallied a .311/.393/.545 slash line with 30 homers, 24 steals and 112 RBI in 143 games through his college career at Arkansas.  Reports had him falling in the draft as a result of an injury to the hamate bone in his left hand prior to his 2020 season.  Prior to the procedure, Baseball America projected Martin as a top ten draft pick.

Slick fielding Sam is the Champion of the (PhoulBallz) world!

Phillies Ball(z)girl Sam Arnone was kind enough to answer some questions for the PhoulBallz site and all of you. Sam will be entering her 3rd season as a Phillies ballgirl and is a junior at Drexel University. Sam hails from the great town of Mt. Ephram, NJ. 1- Since the Phillies are the World Champions of baseball teams, are the Phillies ballgirls the world champions of ballgirl teams? - Of Course!!! There are not that many teams that have Ballgirls, so the competition is a little scarce. I would definitely put my team up against any other Ballgirl team with full confidence! 2- What is your routine to prepare for a day of on-field duties? - Before a game, I am always a little nervous. Once I am ready to leave my house and head to the ballpark I triple check my bag to make sure I have my glove and then I check again. I always have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on wheat because it keeps me full and gives me energy for the entire game. I guess I might have to find a new favorite sa

Bubby Rossman's long awaited MLB debut

Eight years after he initially signed a professional contract with the Dodgers and a five-year stretch playing away from affiliated ball, Bubby Rossman became a major leaguer on Wednesday. Added as a substitute for pitcher Kyle Gibson, who is restricted from travel to Canada for the Phillies' series in Toronto, due to his medical inability to be vaccinated from COVID-19, Rossman took the mound for the first time in the majors. Rossman, who was a 22nd round draft selection in 2014 had pitched in 200 professional games before his one-inning outing in the Phillies' 8-2 loss to the Blue Jays. In 27 appearances with Double-A Reading this year, the 30-year-old right-hander has performed well, tallying a 2-2 record with a save, a 3.32 ERA and a .200 batting average against.   The embedded video below features a media session with Rossman from prior to opening day this year, in which the California native discusses his journey through independent baseball and back to affiliated ball wi