Skip to main content

Williamsport's Kilome among next wave of Phils' top prospects

f kilome
Franklyn Kilome, image- Jay Floyd
STATEN ISLAND, NY- Coming into the 2015 season, Franklyn Kilome wasn't among the buzz names in the land of Phillies prospects. But as some of the top ranked talents in the organization have successfully climbed the developmental ladder, the 20-year-old righty pitcher has begun to stand out.

With an excellent season thus far for the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters, Kilome has begun to draw plenty of attention. In seven starts, the six-foot-six 175 pounder sports a 2-1 record with a 1.74 ERA and a 7.26 K/9 mark.

It's not just the numbers that have caught people's eyes. It's his blazing fastball and solid secondary offerings, a strong change up and a curve ball that features good break, as well.

"Kilome throws upper-90's, touching 100 every once in a while," Crosscutters manager and former big league catcher Pat Borders stated. "He's got some velocity. He's very talented and one to watch out for."

Kilome, who has been able to throw strikes more consistently this season, credits his pitching coach Les Lancaster with assisting his growth this season.

"He helped me a lot. He taught me how to throw my change up. A different grip. So, now I have one that's great. My breaking ball is much better. My fastball command, he works hard with me and my command is great, my curve ball I throw for first pitch strikes, my change up, everything's working good. The mental part of the game too- he's helped me a lot," Kilome said in the visitor's dugout at Staten Island's Richmond County Bank Ballpark.


Signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2013, Kilome quickly became friends with another Dominican native, Maikel Franco, who was already making a name for himself and became on of the Phillies' biggest contributors this year, Maikel Franco.

"I met him in the Dominican Academy and we talked a lot about the organization and he gave me advice and we talked about what we wanted to do. And he told me to work hard and play hard. He's a great guy," Kilome said.

Another recently promoted youngster and previous top prospect that Kilome can take inspiration from is pitcher Aaron Nola. Last year's top draft pick made his big league debut last month at the age of 22.

"I see him there and it gives me more to go for. With young guys on the Phillies, I think I can get there fast too," Kilome stated.

As he's been dominating the New York-Penn League, Kilome feels ready for bigger challenges, but understands his rise through the minors will take patience.

"It's what I think, but it's not my decision, so I just keep playing hard and work hard and they'll see it. It's not my decision, so the only thing I can do is play baseball. If they move me up or move me down, I'll play the same and do my job," Kilome said.

With the Phillies organization in a rebuild mode and more focus being placed on their upcoming talent, keep the determined and electric Kilome toward forefront of all discussions about the team's future.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular

World Series Preview: Phillies vs. Astros

The Fall Classic is set to get underway on Friday with the Phillies opening on the road to take on the Astros in a best-of-seven series. This year marks 75 years since the first time a World Series was televised and this year each game will be broadcast on the FOX television network.  ESPN will have the radio broadcast and that feed can be streamed by using this link . Game 1 Friday, 8:03pm Eastern....in Houston.  RHP Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (18-4, 1.75 ERA).  In 16 road starts during the regular season this year, Nola notched a 5-9 record with a 3.00 ERA.  Nola has struck out 18 and walked three in 17 1/3 innings pitched this postseason.  Earlier this month, Nola tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Houston.  In 15 home starts during the regular season, Verlander sported a 10-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.  Verlander has a 5.68 ERA and has not recorded a win in seven career World Series starts.  Verlander has 11 starts allowing one run or fewer in

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Ben Brown talks TJ recovery, O'Hoppe, cancelled season

Image- MiLB.com Out of action since last May when it was determined he required Tommy John surgery, righty pitching prospect Ben Brown is using the downtime of the pandemic hiatus to continue his physical recovery.  A 33rd round draft selection of the Phillies back in 2017, Brown made his professional debut that same year, posting a 2.57 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 10 appearances in the rookie level Gulf Coast League.  The following season, Brown began to make a name for himself in the GCL, striking out 16 batters in one July appearance.  He would post a 3.12 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 10 games (eight starts) before earning a promotion and finishing the season with a pair of outings with Class A short-season Williamsport. Brown, a Long Island, NY native, opened last year with Class A Lakewood.  In four appearances with the BlueClaws, he struck out 20, walked four and allowed no runs in 13 2/3 innings and looked well on his way to making an impact on betting odds and available promo codes