Name: Kenny Giles

Position: RHP
Bats: RH
Throws: RH
DOB: September 20, 1990
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 190
Acquired: Drafted in the 7th round (#241 overall) in the 2011 draft, $250,000 signing bonus

Career Synopsis:  After signing Giles was sent to the GCL where he pitched in 3 games with limited success but did strike out 7 in 4.2 innings.  Going into 2012 Kevin Goldstein had him as a sleeper prospect based purely on his impressive arm strength.  Giles went to Lakewood to start 2012, he initially worked out of the starting rotation to get innings.  His stuff was impressive with the fastball occasionally touching 100 out of the bullpen.  He showed some problems with control posting a 5.88BB/9 in 67.1 IP but also missed bats with a 11.50K/9.  Towards the end of the end of the season Giles earned a promotion to Clearwater where he was even move impressive lowering his walk rate to 3.68BB/9 while also raising his strikeout rate to 15.34K/9 in 14.2 IP.  His final 2012 line was 82 IP, 3.51 ERA, 50BB, 111K.

Fastball: Giles fastball is an elite pitch and it will sit 97 to 99 and he has touched as high as 101.  There is not a lot of deception to the pitch and it is relatively straight.  Giles is still working on commanding the pitch though he has shown flashes of being able to throw it both sides of the plate.  80/80

Slider: Giles came into professional ball with a poor slider but the Phillies have worked to make it his primary secondary pitch.  The pitch is fringe average now but it will flash plus with good depth and movement.  45/60

Delivery: Ken Giles’s delivery is make effort but the Phillies cleaned up the actions during his 2013 injury.  The delivery itself is a low 3/4s and Giles drops as he comes into the delivery.  The delivery itself should allow for at least average control, especially after the Phillies cleaned up the delivery.

Video: Giles in Lakewood

Links:

Baseball Reference
Fangraphs
MILB
Baseball America

 UPDATE: Giles career seemed to stagnate as he spent the entire 2013 season in Clearwatwer, his BB/9 spiked while his K/9 dropped.  However he was sent to face the stiffer competition and regained some of his K/9 in the Arizona Fall League.  In 2014, Giles refined his secondary pitch and shot through Reading and Lehigh Valley to the major league team, where he posted a career low 2.2 BB/9 and a very respectable 12.6 K/9.  Giles began the 2015 in Philadelphia and took over the closer’s spot at the trading deadline.  (JP)