Facing a throng of reporters minutes after Ruben Amaro, Charlie Manuel and his staff made the final decisions on their Opening Day 25-man roster, Joe Savery said simply: Well, this is different.
Savery, the starting pitcher-turned-first baseman-turned-lefty specialist, will begin the season with the Phillies, as will infielder Pete Orr and reliever Michael Stutes. Scott Podsednik, Hector Luna and Raul Valdes were reassigned to Triple A Lehigh Valley.
Its a great story, said Amaro of Savery. The guy really worked hard to get himself back to being a major-league caliber pitcher. He helped us last year at the end of the year, came a long way, and we feel like hes got the stuff to be able to help us.
I still cant believe it, Savery admitted. I just got off the phone with my wife and my parents and I I just cant believe it.
The 19th overall pick in the 2007 draft, Savery experienced the type of early minor-league struggles that he never encountered in a stellar career at Rice University. Too many hits, too many walks, and after a 2010 season at Triple A in which Savery posted a 1-12 record with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP as a starting pitcher, he suggested to the Phillies that he convert to playing the field. Savery wanted to prove his value with the bat.
The early results were promisingSavery began 2011 by hitting .307 at Clearwater, but before long he found himself pitching in relief for Reading. He was eventually promoted to Triple A, where he pitched so well out of the pen that he warranted a September call to the bigs.
That was sweet for Savery. This is sweeter.
You cant replace that first time, Savery said of his initial call to The Show. But to make an Opening Day roster the romantic side of Opening Day baseball in this country, to be part of that Im really thankful.
The Phillies spent the spring testing out a swarm of lefty relief options to complement Antonio Bastardo. There were veterans Valdes, Pat Misch, David Purcey and Dontrelle Willis. There was young Jake Diekman, and there was Jeremy Horst, traded to the Phils for Wilson Valdez. But Savery improbably outlasted them all.
Savery had a big spring, said Manuel. Hes a pretty good story. Hes come a long ways. Not only that, but his velocity on his fastball really picked up from the start of last year.
Fastball velocity has certainly played a role in Saverys long-awaited but unexpected and circuitous route to the bigs. He regularly threw in the low-90s this spring, and the result was nine strikeouts in 10 innings. The first signs of extra life on Saverys fastball came last season when he was thrown back into the bullpen.
I went about nine months without pitching during 2010 and 2011, which Im sure helped, Savery said. Being in the infield, having to shorten up my arm motion helped. And just an act of god, I dont know how to explain it. Id like to think those things are part of it, but it just doesnt make sense sometimes.
Savery cant believe it, nor can he explain it. Thats OK. He doesnt have to. He just needs to prove the Phillies decision-makers right by continuing to perform. Nobody knows that better than the lefty himself.
I probably have tonight and tomorrow morning to soak it in, but Im not going to stay here if I dont get people out, Savery offered. It is a nice storyit probably makes some people feel goodbut if I dont help this team, then they dont need me here.
NotesThe Phillies beat the Pirates, 7-2, Tuesday night to sweep the On-Deck Series and finish spring training 14-16, the best record of any NL East team. ... Placido Polanco hit his first home run of the spring, a three-run shot that put the Phillies ahead for good in the fifth inning. ... Carlos Ruiz went 1 for 2 with a double to finish the spring 23 for 48, one hit away from a .500 batting average. ... Cole Hamels struck out five Pirates in four shutout innings. ... The Phillies scored one run in three innings against Pirates starter James McDonald, who is scheduled to pitch for Pittsburgh Sunday at 1:35 p.m. against Vance Worley in the opening series finale.
E-mail Corey Seidman at cseidman@comcastsportsnet.com.