The Phillies acquired right-hander Jeremy Hellickson from the Diamondbacks in exchange for Minor League pitcher Sam McWilliams, the club announced Saturday afternoon.
The move, the first under new Phillies General Manager Matt Klentak, adds a veteran arm capable of eating innings to a young Phillies rotation. |
Hellickson, the American League Rookie of the Year in 2011, is coming off a season in which he went 9-12 with a 4.62 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 27 starts for the D-Backs. The 28-year-old righty has struggled a bit over the past three seasons, compiling a 4.86 ERA, but the Phillies are hoping he can return to his form from his first two full seasons in the Majors, in which he went 23-21 with a 3.02 ERA in 60 starts (366 innings).
In exchange for Hellickson, the Phillies send 20-year-old right-hander Sam McWilliams to the D-Backs. An 8th round pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, McWilliams has gone 2-5 with a 4.19 ERA in 16 games (12 starts) for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Phillies in the past two seasons.
With the Phillies still in the early stages of a rebuild, this move makes plenty of sense, as they need someone to put on the field in the meantime. Best case scenario, if Hellickson can return to his prior form, the move could land the Phillies a nice prospect or two if the Phillies are able to flip him at the trade deadline.
Side note: Hellickson unintentionally broke Maikel Franco’s wrist in August when he hit Franco with a pitch (video below).
In exchange for Hellickson, the Phillies send 20-year-old right-hander Sam McWilliams to the D-Backs. An 8th round pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, McWilliams has gone 2-5 with a 4.19 ERA in 16 games (12 starts) for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Phillies in the past two seasons.
With the Phillies still in the early stages of a rebuild, this move makes plenty of sense, as they need someone to put on the field in the meantime. Best case scenario, if Hellickson can return to his prior form, the move could land the Phillies a nice prospect or two if the Phillies are able to flip him at the trade deadline.
Side note: Hellickson unintentionally broke Maikel Franco’s wrist in August when he hit Franco with a pitch (video below).