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    Connor Phillips (Photo: Mark Meeks/Todd Norris/Chattanooga Lookouts)
    Photo: Mark Meeks/Todd Norris/Chattanooga Lookouts

    Connor Phillips named Southern League Pitcher of the Week

    Doug Gray 10

    Last Wednesday night saw Connor Phillips absolutely dominate the Birmingham Barons. The Chattanooga starter allowed one hit and one walk in 7.0 shutout innings and he racked up 10 strikeouts in the Lookouts 3-2, walk-off win in the 10th inning.

    It was the best start of the season for the 22-year-old right-handed pitcher. The seven innings pitched was the most he’s had all season – not even pitching into the 6th inning in any other start this season. His one hit allowed matched a season low, as did his one walk. The 10 strikeouts that he had were the third most he’s had on the year.

    For Connor Phillips he’s battled consistency in 2023. After spending the second half of 2022 with the Lookouts in Double-A, he returned there to start the 2023 season. His numbers are better in most categories – he’s given up homers at a higher rate this season, but his ERA, hit rate, walk rate, and strikeout rates are all much better.

    With that said, some of it could be related to the pre-tacked baseball that’s made many pitchers in the league perform better than they ever have before. Some of it is probably also just Connor Phillips developing. He’s one of the youngest pitchers in the league, having just turned 22 six weeks ago. His control still comes and goes from start to start and it will get him into trouble at times, but when he’s got everything working for him – like he did last Wednesday – he’s flat out unhittable (ok, maybe he’s one-hittable).

    Through his first 11 starts this season he’s posted a 3.63 ERA in 52.0 innings with 47 hits allowed. Phillips has walked 23 batters – a number still a little higher than you’d like to see it, but a big improvement from where it was at last season in Double-A – and he’s struck out 89 of the 230 batters he’s faced (that’s a 39% strikeout rate).

    Here are the other Players of the Week this season from the farm system:

    • Andrew Abbott – Southern League – April 10-16
    • Blake Dunn – Midwest League – April 24-30
    • Noelvi Marte – Southern League – May 1-7
    • Matt McLain – International League – May 1-7
    • Noelvi Marte – Southern League – May 16-21
    • Tommy Eveld – Southern League – May 22-28
    • Christian Encarnacion-Strand – International League – June 5-11
    • Connor Phillips – Southern League – June 5-11

    Doug Gray
    Doug Gray is the owner and operator of this website and has been running it since 2006 in one variation or another.

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    10 Responses

    2. Phillips needs to string a few dominant starts together and he’ll be eligible for a promotion to AAA. Looking at Southern League pitching averages, Phillips is an above average pitcher while being 2 years younger than the competition.

      I’d also promote Chase Petty to AA in a parallel move when the time comes to promote Phillips.

      1. I would like it if Phillips makes he last start in Chattanooga this week. Next week Louisville and Next month Cincinnati.

        1. @stock – in the Rotation for Cincy or Bullpen? sort of what the Cardinals did with Adam W a decade or so ago?

        2. The Reds need him in the rotation. The Reds are 3.5 games out and actually have a chance to win the division. They need SP.

          This Reds team does not quit. Such a fun team to watch. It would be interesting to end the year with a rotation of Greene, Lodolo, Ashcraft, Abbott and Phillips.

      2. These are good questions for Doug – any idea how the Reds will treat MiLB promotions later this season? I’ve been thinking Marte moves up soon, and perhaps show up in MLB as one of the two Sept. call ups, but the IL stint delays that. He’s a natural to follow the McLain/EDLC/CES moves.

        Same for the pitching but a bit more delay – does the pre-tack issue keep the AA staff in place longer? Should Petty get moved up to experience that as well? Will Aguiar and Rivera get fast-track treatment?

    3. Of the remaining prospects still in the minors, Phillips is one of my no-trade guys along with CES and Marte. Everyone else imo is in theory blocked and so they could be available in the right deal. That said, I’d be very reluctant to part with Collier and Arroyo.

      Phillips could be a weapon out of the bullpen if the front office wants to limit his innings while getting him major league experience later in the season.

      1. Sounds right – though I expect they’d keep this years newest signees – Duno, et. al. on the ASL, DSL rosters.

        Still don’t think they’re anywhere near wanting 3-month rentals.

        1. The Reds should not be pursuing a three month rental. The Reds could make the playoffs this year but the future looks so much brighter.

      2. @Sultan – what if we could get a very good pitcher with more than 3 months of control? I would trade anyone in the minors, except CES, for such a player.

        There are 4 high payroll (for their market & historical level) teams that are underperforming this year that could be looking to cut payroll at the deadline and the off-season. The Padres, Bluejays, Mariners, and Guardians might be looking to sell if they are out of it by August 1st. These teams are above or near their 5 year average payroll levels and have some nice pitchers but also good pitching prospects coming.

        Wouldn’t Joe Musgrove or Chris Bassitt look good in a Reds uniform? How about Shane Bieber or old friend Luis Castillo. I love following our minor leaguers but I would definitely let a few of our top minor leaguers go for them. Good major league pitching is hard to find. It will be very expensive and risky. Starting pitching will be the key area holding us back in 2024 until we find it. We will have the payroll to cover 1 of these pitchers – if ownership chooses.

        1. Playing devils advocate, I simply don’t believe this years Reds team is capable of winning a world series. I’d rather keep our trade assets this deadline and sign someone like Urias in the offseason. Allow more time for development and value build up then NEXT year or this off-season bolster the big league roster with capable arms. There nothing on the books aside from three buyouts and Hunter Greene.

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