Baltimore Orioles: It’s Been A Tale Of Two Seasons For Evan Phillips

In nine Triple-A outings Baltimore Orioles reliever In nine Triple-A outings, Baltimore Orioles reliever Evan Phillips appears to have masted the minor league level. In his next big league stint will he be able to prove his value to avoid another demotion?

Evan Phillips has been one of the many Baltimore Orioles relievers that has had a rough go of things at the big league level in 2019.

Phillips was traded to the Orioles in the deal that sent Kevin Gausman to the Atlanta Braves last July. The 24-year-old is being counted on to be a piece of the Orioles bullpen for many years to come; thus, seeing him struggle in the majors has been discouraging for Brandon Hyde and company.

After starting the season in Triple-A Norfolk Phillips quickly was called up to the majors on April 6th. Things would not go as planned however as Phillips posted an ERA of 6.92 in 12 major league outings of 2019.

Needing improvement from the young right-hander the Orioles optioned him back to Triple-A Norfolk on May 28th.

Since that date, Phillips has been recalled and optioned twice. Each stint in the majors has been rough as most recently he allowed a run in his one inning of work against the Mariners on June 20th and was promptly returned to Norfolk.

However, when at Triple-A Phillips has been nearly un-hittable. In nine outings for the Tides this season Phillips has posted a 0.77 ERA as he’s allowed just one run (solo home run) in 11.2 innings of work.

What exactly does this mean? It should mean Phillips is ready to be a big league pitcher. Clearly, he’s able to blow hitters away at Triple-A; thus, the next step for him to have results pay off in the majors

The Orioles bullpen has been horrendous this season leading them to use the Norfolk shuttle far too often.

If Phillips can come up and pitch halfway as well as he has at Triple-A, he could help the Baltimore Orioles in a big way.