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| Franklyn Kilome, image- Jay Floyd |
Signed by the Phillies as an international free agent in 2013, Kilome would make his professional debut the following year.
With the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies, as an 18-year-old, Kilome would post a 3-1 record with a 3.12 ERA and a .235 batting average against in 11 appearances. He struck out 25 and walked 11 in 40 1/3 innings.
The Dominican Republic native opened 2015 in extended spring training, then joined the short-season Class A Williamsport team when their season began in June. He helped the Crosscutters storm into the postseason with a 3-2 record with a 3.28 ERA and a .230 BAA. He struck out 36 and walked 21 in 49 1/3 innings.
In 2016 Kilome would pitch in a full-season league for the first time and opened the season with Class A Lakewood, struggling out of the gate. In his first three starts, as a 20-year-old, he posted a 0-3 record along with a 15.83 ERA and a .435 batting average against. The cold early-spring weather was said to be a factor, but Kilome worked hard to iron things out. For the remainder of the regular season, he sported a 5-5 record, a 2.74 ERA and a 10.5 K/9 mark over 20 starts and helped the BlueClaws reach the South Atlantic League championship series.
Last season, Kilome would notch a 6-4 record with a 2.59 ERA and a .264 BAA in 19 starts for Class A Advanced Clearwater. In August, he was promoted to Double-A Reading to wrap up the season. In five games, Kilome had a 1-3 record with a 3.64 ERA. Overall last season, his K/9 mark was at 7.3.
His arsenal features a dominant upper-90's fastball that can get up to 100 MPH. Kilome also tosses an excellent curve ball and a solid change up that tends to fool opponents.
Having walked 3.6 batters per nine innings in his professional career, the 22-year-old has plenty of room for improvement on that front. Refining his command could be the main difference maker for how much Kilome can succeed at the upper levels of the sport.
Kilome has a slim six-foot-six 175-pound frame. He's durable and could certainly still add some muscle.
For now, it looks like Kilome's path will continue as a starter, but with his exceptional velocity, he could possibly flourish as a reliever if the club ever wishes to change his role.
A member of the Phillies' 40-man roster, Kilome has gotten some time with the big club in spring training. It is likely that he will open the 2018 back with Reading with Triple-A on the horizon.
You can keep track of this year's Phillies prospect countdown at this link.
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