Fortunes can change in a hurry in minor league baseball, the latest example being the case of P Austin Hyatt, who was released today by the Phils according to Jeff Schuler, the IronPigs beat reporter for the Morning Call.  Hyatt was considered to be a prospect to watch coming into the 2012 season after going 12-6 with a 3.85 ERA in 28 starts for Reading in 2011.

Hyatt’s 2012 was consistently miserable. He went 2-7 with a 6.33 ERA in 11 starts  in Lehigh Valley, with a WHIP over 1.63. He wasn’t a whole heck of alot better for Reading in his 16 starts, going 8-5 with a 4.62 ERA.  In several Lehigh Valley starts I witnessed, Hyatt struggled with his control, running many deep counts and was quite simply, very hittable.

Hyatt, 26, was the Phils 15th round pick out of the University of Alabama in 2009.  His release may actually be a favor to him, as with the glut of young starters the Phils have in Lehigh Valley and Reading, Hyatt may have struggled to get starts. In any event, it looks more and more like the Lehigh Valley rotation will be Pettibone, Morgan, Martin, Cloyd and Cochran, which will be an exciting rotation to watch for those who frequent Coca Cola Park.

If you were watching or listening to yesterday’s game you may have been surprised by the pitcher on the mound in the 8th and 9th inning for the Phillies.  Brandon Erbe is another is a line of former Orioles that Joe Jordan has brought over to the Phillies.  Erbe on the surface appears to be roster filler, but he is a former top starting pitching prospect who is still young enough (25) to be impactful out of a bullpen.

How We Got Here:

Erbe was a 3rd round pick in 2005 out of high school by the Orioles.  He had an ok debut in 2005 but broke out in 2006.  At age 18 in low-A Erbe put up a 3.22 ERA, 47BB, 133 K line in only 114.2 IP (10.44 K/9 at age 18 in lo-A).  He was then rated the #2 propsect in the Orioles system and the #78 player in baseball.  Erbe had a mid-90s fastball, a plus slider, and an improving change up.  Starting in 2007 it went downhill as Erbe battled control and injury problems (still put up a 2.99 BB/9, 9.02 K/9 line in 2008 at age 20 in hi-A over 150.2 IP).  Injuries have really derailed his career and he hasn’t pitched much the last two years.  Erbe’s starting career at this point is over, but the Phillies still signed him to a minor league contract when he hit minor league free agency this year. Continue reading Prospect Spotlight: Brandon Erbe →