What is the key to success for one of the worst teams in all of baseball? Clearly the need for player development tops the list. The only way this team has any chance at the playoffs is if the offense and starting pitching play above their projections and David Hernandez has a decent year. Then the pressure falls on young players with little or no MLB experience to carry the bullpen. That’s why in order for the Philadelphia Phillies to be successful this year, Daniel Stumpf needs to be one of the best lefty specialists in all of baseball and make the move from Double-A to the big leagues.

The Phillies have done a nice job of getting young, talented arms for their bullpen, but they lack a lefty specialist.  The only other lefty projected to make the roster is Elvis Araujo.  He usually pitches a full inning and only has one year of service under his belt.  The rest of the bullpen beyond Hernandez is full of young pitchers.

Last year was Stumpf’s first full year as reliever. As a reliever he averages well over a strikeout per inning, while pitching over 70 innings in relief last season. If the Phillies are to have a successful 2016, Stumpf will be an important part of their bullpen.

Perhaps more importantly for the Phillies, Stumpf is on the short list of future closers after his change to the bullpen. He needs to develop as a reliever at the big league level so he is ready to take over the closing role in 2018. If that progression isn’t made, the Phillies will have issues in the bullpen in 2016 and beyond.