Eric Junge

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #26 prospect in 2003
  When the Phillies dumped Omar Daal rather than pay him $4.5 million for 2002, Junge was the best of the two prospects they received from the Dodgers. Junge spent his first season in the system in Triple-A, where he led the International League in walks while finishing second in innings and fifth in strikeouts. The Phillies sent him to the Arizona Fall League to change him from an innings-eating starter into a reliever. He made four appearances there before shutting it down because he was physically and mentally exhausted from the long season. At 6-foot-5, Junge could emerge as an imposing figure coming out of the bullpen. His 91-94 mph fastball has good life and he has added a splitter that rates as an average to above average pitch. He also throws a changeup and curveball, but lacks consistency with them, leading to deep counts. Junge has a legitimate chance to make the Phillies this year as a swingman or long reliever.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #28 prospect in 2002
  The second of two prospects acquired from the Dodgers for Omar Daal, Junge was a starter for championship teams in the high Class A California League and Double-A Southern League the past two years. He's attractive because of his 91-94 mph fastball. His command wavers at times, and his hard slider and changeup are average at best. He has a big, durable frame and went at least six innings in 20 of his 27 starts in 2001. At times, he doesn't finish off his delivery and loses some of the leverage his size affords him. Phillies general manager Ed Wade envisions Junge as a potential No. 3 or 4 starter. At 25, he's ticketed for a full year at Triple-A.