It’s no secret the Phillies need another left-handed pitcher in the bullpen.  With JC Romero missing yesterday’s game it highlighted the need for a second lefty.  This week’s focus is on lefty bullpen arms.

Triple A:
Robert Swindle (who’s become a favorite of On the Farm), is begging to get a shot at the big leagues.  He’s had a couple rough outings in the past week, but overall his stats are impressive.  In twelve appearances this year, Swindle is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA.  He also has a BAA of .111 against left-handed batters.  The concern with Swindle is he doesn’t have much of a fastball.  He relies on an array of breaking pitches and pin point control.  He owns a 190/22 strikeout to walk ratio in four minor league seasons, so his control isn’t the question.  Whether his breaking pitches can fool major leaguers is.

Recently acquired Stephen Randolph has also had a fine season since joining the Iron Pigs.  In fifteen innings this season, he’s only allowed 3 earned runs (1.80 ERA).  Randolph still struggles with control.  While he’s struck out 22 batters, he’s walked 11.  Although 34, Randolph does have major league experience.  his best season was in 2003 when he went 8-1 with a 4.05 ERA for the Diamondbacks.  It’s also the same season he was named in the Mitchell Report for purchasing steroids and HGH.

Wiley veteran Steve Kline seems like a pitcher who’s just spinning his wheels.  When he originally signed with the Phillies, he figured it was his best shot to get on a big league roster after the Giants released.  Then he started to tank at Triple A.  Kline put together a couple strong weeks, but again digressed this week, capped by allowing three runs in just over an inning of work on Friday against Indianapolis.  Also, left-handed hitter are hitting a rich .310 off him.

Double A:
Prospect Josh Outman has had highs and lows since being converted to the bullpen earlier this season, but his numbers say he should go back to the rotation.  Outman’s ERA is over a run higher coming out of the pen (3.16/4.35), and his K/9 have decreased.  When Outman was originally moved to the bullpen it gave me the impression, the Phillies front office has little faith in the lefty arms on the farm.  I’m just not sure Outman is the right guy for the job.

Fabio Castro has had similar results to Outman since being moved out of Reading’s rotation.  As a starter, Castro was 3-0 with a 2.90 ERA.  As a reliever, 1-0/720.  I actually prefer Castro out of the bullpen,  In his limited action in Philadelphia, he showed brief glimpses of what he is capible of.  Unfortunately, he still struggles with control.  Until he can harness his pitches, he’s not a viable option for the Phillies.

Jason Kershner is well travelled, but has had some strong outings for the R-Phils.  Lefies only hit .188 against him, and he has excellent control.  Looking at his splits, Kershner is best suited as a sitatutional lefty.  Although at Reading he pitches multiple innings, right-handed hitters tend to knock him around.  He hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2004 for the Blue Jays, and he has a career 3.84 ERA in 87 major league games.