Anyone who has the opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced people in their field will ultimately find success when it is their time to shine. This theory applies to Vance Worley, a 23-year old starting pitcher who has the chance to be the heir apparent in the Phillies’ rotation.
In limited action this season and multiple calls back down to Lehigh-Valley, Worley has compiled a 2-1 record with a 3.41 ERA in 29 innings of work.
Those numbers are quite impressive for anyone that young. His 3.41 ERA is lower than Roy Oswalt (3.79) and much lower than Joe Blanton (5.50), who has pitched around the same amount of innings as Worley has thus far.
In his last outing against the then-NL West leading Seattle Mariners, Worley pitched five strong innings, surrendering just one run and five hits at Safeco Field.
But what makes Worley so much more interesting is the fact that he has the opportunity to learn, let alone learn on the fly, with some of the game’s best pitchers. Who wouldn’t want to be sitting in the dugout sandwiched between Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee? Or flying on a plane next to Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt?
Just imagine the conversations between those group of people and all the wealth of knowledge they share. At 23 years old, Worley is living an improbable life, one that is split between pitching every fifth day and spending the other four days communicating (learning) with two former Cy Young’s and one World Series MVP.
And don’t forget, Worley has pitched fairly well in many of his outings, which is why he presents the Phillies with their best option for the fifth spot in the rotation. If he can manage to cut down on his hits allowed, he will lower his pitch count (he approaches the 100-pitch mark by the 6th inning), and become a much better all-around pitcher.
Now that Oswalt suffered yet another back injury, the Phillies will have no other choice but to keep Worley in the rotation; Joe Blanton isn’t expected to return for another month or so.
With his maturation, Worley will continue to grow into an effective pitcher by the time one of our four ace’s depart, and I full-heartedly believe that he has all the right stuff to someday be a 15-18 game winner.
It also doesn’t help that the Phillies offense loves to hit for this guy — Worley receives an average of 6.28 run support per game.
Question is cause everyone knows this team is built for the playoffs is that can he deliver come playoff time cause really with this team thats all that matters. Who do you trust Joe or Vance? lets say Joe comes back and has a 3.00 ERA for the season pitches pretty well like how he normally does late in the season would you change your mind then?
I would dude.Vance doesnt seem to be wilting,i think he could more then handle big moments come p-off time. I like this dude as our 5 starter next year.
Fat Joe, needs to go.
Hey, I made a rhyme. HAHA!! Hopefully this kid can consistently pitch good. With not knowing when Blanton’s coming back, & Oswalts likely retirement, we need him & Kendrick badly. Also, it’s highly unlikely, that they’re going to be able to make any moves. Not only do they need a good right hand bat, they now might need bullpen help with questions about Madson, Contreras & Lidge. Hopefully not, but this is looking a little bleak.