Jesen Therrien Improves Stuff And Execution

Righthander Jesen Therrien aced one test. Now, he gets another.

The 24-year-old reliever, one of the biggest eye-openers in an improving system this season, earned a promotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on June 1 after two dominating months at Double-A Reading.

“We need to find out more about him at Triple-A,” farm director Joe Jordan said. “It’s a good environment he’s going into. We’re going to get him right in the middle of it.”

Therrien, a Montreal native selected out of a Quebec junior college in the 17th round in 2011, allowed just 14 hits and four earned runs (1.26 ERA) in 28.2 innings in two months at Double-A. He struck out 39, walked just three and recorded seven saves.

Jordan believes Therrien can continue to pitch late in games because he has two plus pitches.

“He’s 93-94 (mph) with his sinker, and his slider is a finishing pitch,” Jordan said. “He’s got as good a breaking pitch as anyone in our minor league system. His slider has two shapes, one that he throws for a strike and one that he uses to finish a hitter. It’s got power at the end and downward finish.”

Therrien, who is 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, was befriended several years ago by another reliever with Montreal roots. Former National League Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne called out of the blue one offseason and invited him to work out in Phoenix. The two spent much time together this offseason, and Jordan believes the association has helped Therrien physically and mentally.

“Basically, he’s just better,” Jordan said. “Everything about him. Everything is just very clean. It’s a combination of stuff and execution. He’s been spot-on all year . . .

“This is the guy we’ve been waiting for. He’s shown it in the past—he’s just been inconsistent. But he came into camp in good form and has been consistent night in and night out.”

— Jim Salisbury covers the Phillies for CSNPhilly.com.