Friday, February 17, 2012

Prospect Nation 2012: #13 RHP Michael Schwimer

Posted by Jay Floyd, Mon, February 13, 2012 11:58 AM | Comments: 10
2012 Top 25 Prospects, Blog, IronPigs, Minor Leagues, Posts, Prospecting

Righty hurler Michael Schwimer had another great minor league season in 2011 and earned a spot on the big league roster. With nothing left to prove in the developmental ranks, Schwimer will get a considerable look in spring training with the Phillies this year.

Selected in the 14th round of the 2008 draft, Schwimer signed quickly and made his pro debut with short-season Williamsport, posting a 1.96 ERA in 22 relief outings. A year later, Schwimer skipped Class A Lakewood and began his 2009 season at Class A Advanced Clearwater, where he went 2-1 with 20 saves and a 2.85 ERA in 48 games. He earned a promotion to Reading, of the Double A Eastern League, by season’s end.

The Virginia native, who will turn 26-years-old next week, began the 2010 season back with Reading where he posted a 5-3 record with 11 saves, a 3.60 ERA and a .225 batting average against in 32 appearances. After a July promotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Schwimer continued posting remarkable numbers, going 2-2 with a 1.35 ERA with a .213 batting average against.

Schwimer had another excellent season in 2011, eventually earning a spot on the big league roster in August. En route to becoming an All-Star with the IronPigs last year, the 6-foot-8-inch 240-pounder dominated the International League, going 9-1 with 10 saves, a 1.85 ERA and a .203 batting average against in 47 relief appearances.

After his promotion to Philadelphia, the University of Virginia product looked respectable, but struggled considerably at home. In 5 games at Citizens Bank Park, Schwimer sported a 10.80 ERA. Conversely, on the road, Schwimer was strong, holding down a 1.93 ERA in 7 games.

In his four seasons in the minors, Schwimer has posted 313 strike outs in 234 innings (12.04 K/9), building a reputation as a whiff artist.

Schwimer is a talented reliever with a firm focus on the mental side of the game. He anticipates what the thought process of the opposing batter might be in each at bat, and for each scenario, and is able to stay a step ahead far more often than not.

With a repertoire that includes a fastball that ranges from 92-94 MPH, a plus slider and a solid change up, Schwimer stands to be a pitcher the Phillies will count on in 2012 when openings in the bullpen arise due to injuries or other reasons.

___________________________________________________________________________

2012 Prospect countdown index can be found HERE.

Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider. You can check out more from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.

10 Comments  View Comments: Newest FirstOldest First Expand AllExpand Newest  

Posts: 643 Manny

I saw his debut in DC and even though he looked a little shabby at first, he recomposed and proceeded to dominate the Nats lineup; lots of strikes and strikeouts if I remember correctly… Three strikeouts in a row, or something like that.

 Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 01:23 PM on February 13, 2012

 

Posts: 643 Manny

“Aside from a solo shot to Espinosa, Schwimmer was excellent. The 6’8″ rookie struck out four batters over three innings of work; in Triple-A, Schwimmer only pitched more than two innings three times.”
http://www.buzzonbroad.com/2011/08/phils-lose-late.html

That was the game that Lidge lost with a walk-off hit-by-pitch. Ugh.

 Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 01:26 PM on February 13, 2012

 

Posts: 308 EricL

The solo shot was crushed to right center, as I recall, as Schwimmer pointed skyward as if it were some kind of pop-up to right that the fielders needed help corralling. He did that a few times, if I remember correctly. I hope he spent his winter working on keeping his pointer-finger down on bombs. It’s kind of embarrassing. lol

 Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 03:40 PM on February 13, 2012

 

Posts: 643 Manny

Lol. That was also Espinosa’s little breakthrough moment. He killed us that day.

 Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 04:14 PM on February 13, 2012

 

Posts: 643 Manny

Actually, he killed us all year.
.313 avg, 1.080 OPS in 64 at bats

 Flag commentPosted: 04:17 PM on February 13, 2012

 

Posts: 1989 Lefty

I saw Oswalt do that many times as well. They need to get these guys some 3-D glasses I guess.

 Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 07:43 PM on February 13, 2012

 

Posts: 0 delearyous

Schwim at #13?

I don’t understand how this guy isn’t in the top 5.

 Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 04:55 PM on February 13, 2012

 

Posts: 114 Jay Floyd

Because he’s 26 years old when ST starts, delearyous.

 Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 06:22 PM on February 13, 2012

 

Posts: 114 Jay Floyd

Schwim was definitely one of my favorite interviews from last year. He’s very pleasant, very bright, very goal oriented and very real. With guys like Qualls and Sanches added to the mix, he may be blocked…which sucks for all these young guys on the verge of being qualified bullpen contributors.

 Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 06:08 PM on February 13, 2012

 

Posts: 0 George

If he’s as good in ST as everyone thinks he is, he won’t be blocked by Sanches. Maybe by Qualls, but he’ll certainly get just as much a chance as Herndon, Stutes and all the rest of the young guys.

 Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 08:01 PM on February 13, 2012

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Lefty commented on the blog post CSN’s Jim Salisbury Talks Hamels on 97.3 ESPN FM   19 minutes ago · View

I have been reading that waiting for the start of the season to extend Hamels allows them to keep under ( or close to) this year’s threshold. Hope that’s the reason for the delay.

Can anyone verify that?

Lefty commented on the blog post Phils Searching for Righty Slugger?   35 minutes ago · View

The Valdez trade was tough for all his fans, I get that. I will miss his rocket arm. But I applaud RA Jr. for acquiring 26 year old Jeremy Horst. At some point he has to bring in some youthful guys that may be ready to make the jump soon. He has invited a good [...]

Lefty commented on the blog post ’93 Phils Out-Disciplined “Moneyball” A’s   47 minutes ago · View

The 93 team was so much fun to watch because of the style they played. Smart management, smart players, always kept you on the edge of your seat because you knew that at any time they could manufacture excitement. I believe Jim Fregosi does not get the credit he deserves. Even Nails was considered an [...]

remotti became a registered member   1 hour, 7 minutes ago · View

Jay Floyd commented on the blog post ’93 Phils Out-Disciplined “Moneyball” A’s   1 hour, 24 minutes ago · View

Good stuff, Corey. I especially like the Seid-notes.

Baseball changes through eras..it really does.

Subscribe and Share Minor League NewsProspect Nation 2012: #14 OF Larry Greene Jr.Prospect Nation 2012: #15 RHP Austin HyattProspect Nation 2012: #16 2B Cesar HernandezPhillies Nation Interview: Roman QuinnProspect Nation 2012: #17 2B Harold Garcia Recent CommentsLefty: I have been reading that waiting for the start of the season to extend Hamels allows them to keep underLefty: The Valdez trade was tough for all his fans, I get that. I will miss his rocket arm. But ILefty: The 93 team was so much fun to watch because of the style they played. Smart management, smart players, alwaysJay Floyd: Good stuff, Corey. I especially like the Seid-notes.Baseball changes through eras..it really does.schmenkman: So for about the same money in 2012, and quite a bit more money in 2013, the Phillies:1) get slightsteve: I definitely agree Chuck (with most ridiculous comment of the day) but more so about having Laynce Nix and Wiggington.Don M: I highly recommend reading "Three Nights in August" after you get done with Moneyball ... I love bothsteve: crickets......crickets.......really though lolJonathan Nisula: I'm actually reading Moneyball right now. I'm a little more than halfway throughschmenkman: (we hope)RSS

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2012 Phillies Salaries 

Charlie Manuel

$3 million

 

Cliff Lee

$21.5 million

 

Ryan Howard

$20 million

 

Roy Halladay

$20 million

 

Chase Utley

$15 million

 

Jonathan Papelbon

$11 million

 

Jimmy Rollins

$11 million

 

Cole Hamels

$9.5 million

 

Shane Victorino

$9.5 million

 

Joe Blanton

$8.5 million

 

Hunter Pence

$6.9 million

 

Placido Polanco

$6.25 million

 

Ty Wigginton

$4 million

 

Carlos Ruiz

$3.7 million

 

Jose Contreras

$2.5 million

 

Kyle Kendrick

$2.45 million

 

Jim Thome

$1.25 million

 

Laynce Nix

$1.15 million

 

Dontrelle Willis

$850,000

 

Brian Schneider

$800,000

 

John Mayberry

$414,000

 

Vance Worley

$405,000

 

Antonio Bastardo

$405,000

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