Yohan Flande

Flande’s mid-June appointment to the big leagues illustrated the extent to which the Colorado pitching staff was hit by injuries, as nothing about the lefty’s Triple-A performance (5.60 ERA over 88.1 innings) suggested a promotion was warranted. But by virtue of staying healthy, Flande ended up making 16 appearances (10 starts) for the Rockies, and probably exceeded the low expectations established for him. Though it wasn’t reflected in his traditional numbers (0-6, 5.19 ERA, 1.20 WHIP), Flande surprisingly graded out as an above-replacement-level pitcher (0.8 WAR over 59 innings), largely on the strength of his 58.2% groundball rate and 2.4 BB/9 rate. He was at his best while working in relief, and particularly against left-handers, who slashed just .154/.235/.246 against him over 71 plate appearances. Flande’s inability to miss bats will likely prevent him from getting another serious rotation look with the Rockies in 2015, but the organization could tab him for a LOOGY role, where he showed the potential to be a late-inning weapon.

Flande failed to impress as a 24-year-old at Double-A last season and lost his 40-man roster spot this winter. His 4.72 K/9IP indicates that Flande lacks the stuff to put hitters away. Flande's changeup is his best pitch, but that pitch alone will not allow him to be effective in the majors. The Phillies will likely move him up to Triple-A this year but he looks to be nothing more than organizational depth at this point.

Flande, 23, was added to the Phillies' 40-man roster this winter. Flande pitches in the high-80s to low-90s and has a good changeup. He split the season between High-A Clearwater and Double-A Reading going a combined 10-5 with a 3.40 earned run average and a 117:45 K:BB ratio in 152.2 innings. Flande may be better suited for the bullpen long term, but for now the Phillies will leave him in the rotation. Expect him to return to Double-A to begin the 2010 season.