As initially reported by Matt Gelb of the Athletic on X twenty-nine year old LHP Nick Vespi has signed a minor league contract with the Phillies with a big league spring training camp invitation. He was the 2015 18th round draft selection of the Baltimore Orioles from Palm Beach State Community College in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Vespi has pitched his entire career with Baltimore including 45 appearances (53.1 IP) in the major leagues (2022-2024) posting a 3.88 ERA with 46 K’s and 13 walks. He pitched in 11 games for the Orioles in 2024 (12.1 IP) posting a 2.92 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP. In his minor league career he’s appeared in 228 games (32 starts - none since 2019) accumulating 429.2 IP with 482 K’s and 150 walks - a 3.18 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He became a free agent on 11/4/24.
Nick is a fastball/cutter (90-92 mph), slider and curve ball pitcher - will use a sinker against lefties, developed his four seamer further in 2024 to have more run. Reports say that he is good at pitch tunneling, all his pitches look similar out of the hand. He’s a strike thrower who can pitch multiple innings and uses pitch combination, deception and moxie to record outs.
From a fan’s view welcome to the Phillies Nick!
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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