With Win Over Marlins, Vance Worley May Have Solidified His Worth
By: Mike Reisman
Historically speaking, the first year of any pitcher's career is usually the best. Take Kyle Kendrick for example. During his rookie season, he seemed like the answer to the Phillies pitching woes, going 10-4 while finishing fifth in rookie of the year voting. His WAR that season was also a career high 2.1, something that he hasn't come close to since. Since that year, Kendrick hasn't been nearly as good, losing his starting job in 2009. Many people pin Kendrick's rookie year on the fact that many major league teams hadn't seen his pitching and he simply beat them by throwing things they hadn't seen.
After his first nine games, many people began believing that, like Kendrick, Vance Worley had only been getting wins because other teams hadn't seen him yet. After all, his only bad game came against the Mets, the only team he had faced more than once. So needless to say, yesterday's start against the Marlins, a team Worley had already faced, was a true test, and one that the rookie passed with flying colors.
Worely pitched three decent innings against the Marlins back in May, giving up two hits, one run and two walks against five of the same hitters he saw last night, including Gaby Sanchez who homered off of Worley during their first meeting. However, this time Vance Worley threw seven innings of two-hit baseball, striking out six batters, and only allowing two walk. He even forced Gaby Sanchez to go 0-2 with a strikeout, though he did walk him.
But maybe stats aren't your thing, of course, anyone can beat a team who's batting average is 24th in the MLB. However, even players on the Marlins think that Worley is the real deal, exemplified by the team's left fielder Logan Morrison tweeting after the game "Thanks... for giving me the heads up that Worley has become Halladay's apprentice". Being compared to Roy Halladay is a big deal, whether you are a high school prospect, or a seasoned veteran, so clearly players respect Worley.
With starters Roy Oswalt and Joe Blanton injured, the Phillies have had to fill the void they left somehow, and Worley has proved to be the right fit. Now, with a 4-1 record and a 2.20 ERA, Worley may be starting on a journey that will lead him to do great things. Worley was sent down today, but only so that his throwing schedule would stay normal, further proving that the Phillies really care about Worley and his future. Don't look now, but even when Blanton and Oswalt return, Vance Worley may still be in the rotation.