Press Release:
The Orioles today announced that they have acquired LHP Zach Phillips from the Texas Rangers in exchange for INF Nick Green and cash considerations. Phillips will be added to the 40-man roster and assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. To make room for Phillips, the Orioles have designated RHP Chorye Spoone for assignment.
Phillips, 24, is 1-3 with a 4.43 ERA (44.2IP, 22ER), 38 strikeouts and three saves in 33 relief appearances for Triple-A Round Rock this season. In 213 games over seven career minor league seasons, he is 31-39 with a 4.10 ERA (682.0IP, 311ER) and 653 strikeouts. A 23rd round pick by the Rangers in the 2004 First Year Player Draft, Phillips has averaged 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings pitched and 2.33 strikeouts per walk in his career.
Signed by the Orioles as a minor league free agent prior to this season, Green, 32, hit .208 (64-308) with 16 doubles, 10 home runs and 46 RBI in 87 games for Norfolk.
Orioles Nation’s Director of Scouting, Don Olsen, has provided some scouting notes on Phillips:
Three pitch pitcher with fastball, changeup, and curveball; changeup is the best of the bunch and the reason why he tends to be a ground ball pitcher. Must maintain control and keep the fastball down in order to stay effective because his heater is only 90-91 mph with okay movement. He does not have swing and miss stuff, but when the changeup is working he’s an effective pitcher. If he can curb the walks and mix the change up/fastball combination effectively, he could be a middle reliever at the big league level.
