The Phillies have signed right-hander Cody Stashak, in accordance with a report from Ted Schwerzler. Per The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, the association is a minor league take care of an invitation to Spring Coaching.
Stashak, 30, was a Thirteenth-round choose by the Twins within the 2015 draft who first made his large league debut with the membership again in 2019. It was typically an efficient rookie season for the right-hander, who pitched out of the bullpen (barring one begin as a two-inning opener) to strong outcomes with a 3.24 ERA and three.01 FIP in 25 innings. Stashak struck out 24% of opponents that yr whereas strolling only one batter all season. That spectacular command over the strike zone confirmed up once more in the course of the shortened 2020 season, as Stashak turned in one other robust season with Minnesota: throughout 15 innings of labor, Stashak posted a 3.00 ERA with a 3.26 FIP, a 29.8% strikeout charge, and a 5.8% stroll charge.
Sadly for the right-hander, his efficiency would take a nosedive in the course of the 2021 season. Stashak noticed his stroll charge skyrocket to 13.3%, and whereas his strikeout charge was a wonderful 34.7%, the extra visitors on the bases left the right-hander with terrible outcomes regardless of a strong sufficient 3.62 FIP. In 15 2/3 innings of labor, Stashak surrendered 12 runs (all of them earned) for an ERA of 6.89. Regardless of these ugly run prevention numbers, Stashak’s robust monitor document and strong peripherals had been sufficient to persuade the Twins to maintain him round for the 2022 season.
That proved to be a strong sufficient determination, as Stashak rapidly bounced again to his outdated type. Whereas his 3.86 ERA was considerably pedestrian and his 23.1% strikeout charge was the bottom of his profession, he had clearly recaptured his wonderful command as he didn’t stroll a single batter that season. Sadly, the righty’s season was reduce quick in early June when he went beneath the knife to restore a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. The Twins designated him for project the next offseason moderately than hold him on the roster whereas he rehabbed, and he elected free company moderately than stay with the membership within the minor leagues.
Since recovering from that surgical procedure, Stashak had a quick stint within the Atlantic League with the Lancaster Barnstormers earlier than signing with the Giants on a minor league deal. He struggled badly in his first outings following his return to affiliated ball late within the 2023 season, however the Giants nonetheless retained him on a minor league deal this previous yr. Stashak posted mediocre numbers at Triple-A for the membership this previous yr with a 5.45 ERA in 36 1/3 innings of labor, although that determine is a bit inflated due to the intense offensive setting within the Pacific Coast League. Stashak’s trademark management was on show this yr as he walked simply 7.4% of opponents in opposition to a 27.2% strikeout charge, nevertheless.
These strong peripherals had been evidently sufficient for the Phillies to be intrigued by Stashak. He’ll be a part of the membership for Spring Coaching and look to indicate he’s returned to the wonderful type he posted early in his profession with the Twins in hopes of touchdown a spot within the Philly bullpen subsequent yr. There ought to be a handful of spots accessible, as leverage arms Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez are each ticketed without cost company together with swingman Spencer Turnbull.
