Jesse Biddle not a candidate to join Phillies' rotation
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/7/2013) Although the Phillies have a void to fill in their rotation thanks to the absence of Roy Halladay (shoulder), general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. made it abundantly clear Monday top pitching prospect Jesse Biddle isn't expected to make the jump to the majors despite a stellar start for Double-A Reading.
"No. He is not," Amaro said of whether Biddle was a legitimate candidate, per The Philadelphia Inquirer. "Growing pains, he had a tough one last time out. Everybody wants to bring him."
Biddle is 2-2 with a 2.56 ERA and .121 opponents' batting average through six starts for Reading. He has struck out 40 batters in 31 2/3 innings.
Jesse Biddle mowing down hitters
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/29/2013) Phillies pitching prospect Jesse Biddle sure knows how to make an encore. In his first start for Double-A Reading since fanning a career-high 16 batters, Biddle struck out 10 batters and allowed only one hit in six shutout innings Sunday against New Hampshire (Blue Jays).
The left-hander scattered three walks over the first three innings before retiring the next 12 batters he faced and departing the game in the sixth. He has completed at least six innings in all five outings this season. Over his past two starts, the Phillies' top overall prospect has permitted just two hits over 13 scoreless innings with a whopping 26 strikeouts and five walks.
Jesse Biddle fans 16 in career performance
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/23/2013) Phillies pitching prospect Jesse Biddle certainly lived up to his lofty billing in his latest start for Double-A Reading Monday night. Biddle, considered the organization's No. 1 prospect by MLB.com, carried a perfect game into the seventh inning and struck out a career-high 16 batters during his fourth start of the season against Harrisburg (Nationals).
The promising left-hander struck out the side four times, including in the first inning on just 12 pitches. He retired the first 19 batters he faced -- 14 via strikeout -- before losing the perfect game on a walk in the seventh inning. The 21-year-old allowed his first hit three pitches later, but held Harrisburg scoreless before being pulled after the seventh inning.
Biddle's previous career high for strikeouts was 12, which he set twice, the latest coming last season with Class A Clearwater. He now has totaled 30 strikeouts against nine walks over 25 innings this season.
"I wasn't pitching for strikeouts to start, but after that first inning I felt so good I wasn't thinking about letting them put it in play, I was going for the strikeout," Biddle told the Patriot-News. "I was just so comfortable with my mechanics."
Jesse Biddle seeking faster start
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/7/2013) The beginning of a new season has hardly been a strong point for Phillies pitching prospect Jesse Biddle recently as he has stumbled to a combined 0-5 record and 6.45 ERA during the past two Aprils. But the left-hander, who was selected 27th overall in the 2010 MLB Draft, is hoping to shed those struggles this year as he works on upholding his label as the team's top prospect, an honor bestowed by several publications.
"Every year I feel I will be able to pace myself better and be more ready for the season," the 21-year-old told the Philadelphia Inquirer last week. "The last two Aprils I haven't been quite where I need to be for the workload that is going to happen, so right now that is where I am trying to be, and I feel like I am starting to figure that out."
In his season debut with Double-A Reading Friday, Biddle permitted just two hits and a run over six innings while amassing six strikeouts.
Biddle to 'have long career'
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/4/2013) MLB.com reports Phillies prospect Jesse Biddle will likely begin the year in the high minors, which is a promotion Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan said is well deserved. "For me, the story on Biddle is he's going to have four pitches," Jordan said of the team's top prospect. "His pitchability improved last year. It's all going to be about executing and making pitches. He's going to have a really good mix. He's a very competitive kid. If he stays healthy, he's going to have a long career."
