Baseball | 08.11.2020
PHILADELPHIA – Add another player to "The Show" from the Lewis-Clark State College baseball team.
On Tuesday, the Philadelphia Phillies called up promising right-handed relief pitcher Connor Brogdon along with veteran Blake Parker from the team's reserve camp in Lehigh Valley, Pa. Brogdon played at LC State during the 2016 and '17 seasons and was drafted by the Phillies in the 10th round of the 2017 draft.
Entering Tuesday night's contest, the Phillies had the worst bullpen earned run average in the major leagues at 9.87, while their starting pitchers had a 3.20 ERA, fifth-best in the majors.
Brogdon is expected to become the 18th former Warrior to play in the Major Leagues. Seth Brown, an outfielder with the Oakland Athletics, made his MLB debut a year ago and is currently at the team's reserve camp.
Brogdon, 25, pitched at three levels of the Phillies' system last season and had a 2.61 ERA in 51 games. The lanky righty has a fastball that reaches the mid-90s and an excellent changeup. He struck out 106 and walked just 24 in 76 innings last season. The Phillies actually considered bringing up Brogdon late last season.
"There's a lot of upside with Connor," manager Joe Girardi said in his pre-game meeting with reporters.
Brogdon was only the eighth Warrior to be drafted in the 10th round or lower since 1999 and was the 293rd pick of the 2017 draft.
The 6-foot product of Madera Ranchos, Calif., had a solid senior year at LC State and helped the Warriors claim their 19th overall Avista NAIA World Series title. In the Series, he threw eight innings and gave up four hits, three walks and two earned runs in a 7-4 triumph over Keiser of Florida. Along with picking up the win, he struck out 10. Then on three days rest, he picked up his second win in the tourney with seven strong innings against William Carey. For his two performances, he was named to the all-tournament team.
For his senior season, Brogdon went 8-1 with a 2.91 ERA. He pitched in 15 games, starting 12, and threw 80.1 innings, which led the team. He allowed 25 walks and struck out 99, again the team high, and opponents only hit .219 against him. He was a part of two shutout victories and also earned a save during the year.
During his junior year, Brogdon went 6-0 with a 2.81 ERA. In 11 starts, he threw 51.1 innings and struck out 48 with only 10 walks allowed.
Entering Tuesday's play, the Phillies were 5-6 on the season and in third place in the National League East Division, 2.5 games behind the Miami Marlins.
