Sergio Escalona
| IP | 41 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.512 |
| WHIP | 1.268 |
| BB/9 | 3.512 |
| SO/9 | 7.683 |
- Full name Sergio Luis Escalona
- Born 08/03/1984 in El Tocuyo, Venezuela
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School U.E. Eduardo Blanco
- Debut 05/17/2009
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Escalona fancied himself an outfielder as an amateur in Venezuela but didn't get anywhere with the bat. He converted to pitching and signed with the Phillies when he was nearly 20 years old. He was a starter in the low minors and a non-factor until 2008, when a move to the bullpen helped him surge through the system. He pitched in both the Arizona Fall League and winter ball in his native Venezuela and earned a spot on the Phillies' 40-man roster. Escalona needs just two pitches, yet has shown three--a fastball with sink at 88-92 mph, a changeup that got better in the AFL, and an inconsistent, raw curveball that he can spin for strikes when he's on. He's shown the hand speed for it to become an average pitch. Club officials use the word "green" to describe Escalona, but he's lefthanded, has shown the ability to get strikeouts and had more than two groundouts for every airout in 2008. It's a good combination of skills for a lefty reliever, and Escalona goes to camp with an outside shot at a big league bullpen spot.
