Skip to main content

Phils Deal RHP Rodriguez to O's for OF Welty

By
The disassembling of the prospect group known as the Baby Aces continues, as the Phillies have traded once highly regarded righty hurler Julio Rodriguez to Baltimore for outfielder Ronnie Welty.

Rodriguez once dominated Class A ball, but looked far more human with Double-A Reading last season. Drafted in the 8th round of the 2008 amateur draft, the Puerto Rican born pitcher finished with an overall record of 7-3 with a 1.89 ERA and a .175 batting average against in 20 outings with Williamsport and Lakewood in 2010. The following season, Rodriguez was named a Florida State League All-Star, as he finished with a league leading 16 wins, a 2.76 ERA that was second best in the league and a .186 batting average against. Over those two seasons, he averaged a 10.71 K/9 mark.

Last year in the Eastern League, Rodriguez wrapped up his 2012 regular season campaign with a 7-7 record, a 4.23 ERA and a .243 batting average against, following a difficult eight-game stretch (6.81 ERA) that got him moved from the starting rotation into the bullpen.

Welty, a righty batter that was selected in the 20th round of the 2008 draft, had a very good season last year, as he sported a .333/.373/.662 line, playing most of his games at Double-A in an injury shortened season (56 games played). The 25-year-old stands 6-foot-3 and weighs around 200 pounds.

Regarding the 22-year-old Rodriguez, it seemed as though the opinions of many had dropped a considerable amount, when his walk rate shot up nearly two full free passes per nine innings, as he took the leap from Clearwater to Reading last year. And following this week's news that outfielder Jiwan James would miss a lengthy stretch following left knee surgery, the Phillies found themselves with a void to fill in the upper levels of the developmental system.

Welty could likely begin the season manning the outfield for Reading. Mainly a right fielder, the Chandler-Gilbert Community College product has played a combined 49 professional regular season contests in center and left field.

Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan previously worked in the Baltimore organization. Welty joins the likes of catcher Justin Dalles, who also played with the Orioles under Jordan, that the Phils have added for organizational depth since last season.

The Phillies traded another Baby Ace, Trevor May, in recent months, along with Vance Worley to Minnesota for outfielder Ben Revere. Additionally, another of the Phils' once highly rated young pitchers Brody Colvin has taken himself out of consideration as a fast rising prospect, having produced increasingly inconsistent statistics in recent seasons. Righty Jonathan Pettibone remains as the group's lone standout, as he spent some time with the big league club in spring training this year, and should be waiting in the wings at Triple-A, if the Phillies' rotation as an opening this season.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #4 OF Mickey Moniak

By
Mickey Moniak, image- Joe Wombough Taken with the top overall selection in last year's MLB amateur draft, outfielder Mickey Moniak has garnered a lot of attention as a highly promising talent in the Phillies' developmental ranks. After signing out of La Costa Canyon High School for a reported $6.1 million, the lefty batting Moniak had a very good professional debut. In 46 games with the Phillies' Gulf Coast League team, Moniak posted a .284 batting average with 11 doubles, four triples, a home run and 28 RBI.  Additionally, he showed some speed, swiping 10 bases in 14 opportunities. Following the regular season, Moniak participated in the Florida Instructional League and spent time at the Phillies' training facility in Clearwater, where he worked to add strength and muscle to his six-foot-two 185-pound frame. At the plate, Moniak, who was committed to play at UCLA prior to the 2016 draft, makes steady, hard contact.  He is touted as a line drive hitter tha...
Post a Comment
Read more

Chris Truby Speaks on Santana & Other BlueClaws Matters

By
On Monday, it was announced that the Astros selected outfielder Domingo Santana as the player to be named later in the late July trade that sent Hunter Pence to the Phillies. Santana, a Dominican born slugger, posted a .269 average with 7 HR and 32 RBI in 96 games with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. The 19-year-old is regarded as a five tool talent and has been ranked among the Phillies' top ten prospects by multiple national outlets. I had the opportunity to speak with Lakewood manager Chris Truby about Santana, the PTBNL list of five Phillies prospects that the Astros had to choose from, as well as other matters pertaining to the BlueClaws, as they enter the final few weeks of their regular season. Check out the media player below to hear the full interview. ______________________________________________ You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE . You can also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE .
Post a Comment
Read more

2019 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #9 OF Dylan Cozens

By
Dylan Cozens, image- Jay Floyd Powerful outfield prospect Dylan Cozens hopes to shake the reputation of a free swinger and become a more complete hitter in order to fulfill his dream of reaching the major leagues. At six feet six inches tall and weighing 245 pounds, Cozens has an imposing frame that was well-suited for the grid iron, as he was a two-sport star in his high school days.  After he was chosen in the 2nd round of the 2012 draft, Cozens debuted in the minors with the rookie level Gulf Coast Phillies. In 50 games there, he notched 15 doubles, two triples, five homers and 24 RBI. Cozens also participated in the Florida Instructional League in 2012. Following a productive spring in 2013, Cozens was retained in extended spring training and made his official season debut with the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters when they began playing in June. Cozens was among the league leaders in many categories that year, ...
Post a Comment
Read more