Joe Savery - Professional Career

Professional Career

Savery was the Phillies' first-round draft pick out of Rice in 2007 as the 19th overall pick. After signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, Savery was assigned to the Williamsport Crosscutters of the New York-Penn League (Class A Short Season). In 7 starts, he compiled a 2-3 W-L record with a 2.73 ERA. He struck out 22 and walked 13. He played in the 2007 Arizona Fall League with the Peoria Saguaros.

In 2008 Savery skipped over Class A Lakewood and was assigned to Class A Advanced Clearwater. There he went 9-10 with a 4.13 ERA over 27 games (24 starts). He compiled 122 Ks in 150.1 innings while giving up 60 walks. He allowed 10 home runs as well.

In 2009 Savery split time between Reading and Lehigh Valley, the AA and AAA affiliates of the Phillies, respectively. In Reading he had one of his best seasons. He went 12-4 with a 4.41 ERA struck out 77 in 112.1 innings pitched while walking 53, and giving up 13 home runs. He earned a mid-season call-up to AAA Lehigh Valley. There he went 4-2 in 7 starts with an ERA of 4.38. In 39 innings he walked 24 while striking out only 19, indicating some issues with his control.

In 2010 Savery was assigned to Lehigh Valley where his stats and his control got worse. He went 1-12 with his worst ERA of his professional career at 4.66, striking out 67 and giving up 51 walks in 127.1 innings.

During the off-season of 2010 it was announced that Savery would be converted into a hitter, with the hope he can recapture his collegiate success. He participated in the FIL after the season to learn first base which is where he will play in 2011.

During the off-season Joe worked on his strength and conditioning. He switched some of his training techniques from being a pitcher, and began training more like a hitter. After hitting .348 for the AAA Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs the Phillies were quite optimistic about Joe's chances of becoming a force in their Major League Lineup. After a successful spring training in 2011, Joe was sent to Clearwater Threshers. As of April 15, 2011, Joe is hitting .621, with 4 doubles and 1 home-run. He finished the season batting .307 with 2 home runs for Clearwater. He was later promoted to AA Reading and AAA Lehigh Valley where he was once again converted to a pitcher, but this time a relief pitcher. He compiled a 1.80 ERA, 2 saves, 25/6 k/BB ratio, in 25 innings pitched for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.

Savery was called up to the Philadelphia Phillies on September 16, 2011, after spending most of the 2011 season with the Phillies' AAA affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. He made his debut on September 20, 2011 against the Washington Nationals. In his first four appearances, Savery faced nine batters, giving up one hit, recording two strike-outs and no walks.

Savery opened the 2012 season with the Phillies, appearing on an Opening Day roster for the first time in his career. He was optioned to the IronPigs on April 15 to accommodate José Contreras's return to the active roster, but returned to the Phillies less than a week later after Cliff Lee landed on the 15-day Disabled List.

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