Phillies add Aumont, three others to roster

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The Phillies have added four prospects to their 40-man roster.

The additions include relievers Phillippe Aumont and Jake Diekman, outfielder Tyson Gillies and catcher Sabastian Valle.

These players are protected from being selected in next months Rule 5 draft.

Aumont and Gillies both came to the Phils in the Dec. 2009 trade that sent Cliff Lee to Seattle.

Aumont is a 6-7 righthander with a power fastball and power curveball. Assistant general manager Benny Looper says Aumont is close to helping in the majors. Aumont turns 23 in January.
A stubborn hamstring injury has limited Gillies to 31 games the last two seasons. The Phillies protected him because they remain high on his athleticism and tools. Gillies is 23.

Diekman, who turns 25 in January, could be someone to watch. The lefthander started using a sidearm delivery a couple of seasons ago and it helped his velocity. He had a 3.55 ERA in 53 games at Double A in 2011. In 65 innings, he allowed just 47 hits while striking out 83. His control still needs work as evidenced by 44 walks. He could blossom into a situational lefty or a full-inning guy.

Valle, 21, is the organizations top catching prospect. He will play at Double A in 2012 and work with a prospect-studded pitching staff that will include Trevor May, the organizations top prospect, Jonathan Pettibone and Julio Rodriguez.

Notable players not protected on the 40-man roster include reliever B.J. Rosenberg and outfielder Jiwan James. They will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft at the winter meetings in December.

E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com

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