Oct 3, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (58) pitches during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Phillies added an experienced starting pitcher Saturday, acquiring right-handed pitcher and impending free agent Jeremy Hellickson from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league pitcher Sam McWilliams.
Hellickson, 28, won the American League Rookie of the Year in 2011 with the Tampa Bay Rays but has struggled with injuries since. Tampa Bay traded him to Arizona last year and he was 9-12 with a 4.62 ERA in 27 starts for the Diamondbacks while pitching 146 innings and averaging 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings.
Hellickson has a career record of 49-48 with a 3.94 ERA in 142 games since making his major league debut in 2010 and serve as rotation depth for a team with youngsters Aaron Nola and Jerad Eickhoff entering their second seasons.
McWilliams was Philadelphia’s eighth-round draft pick in 2014 and has not advanced past the Gulf Coast League. He is Philadelphia’s 27th-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com.
