Bailey Falter Gets Long-Awaited Call

Bailey Falter had a difficult time containing his anxiety as he waited to learn which players the Phillies were going to add to their 40-man roster.

He paced his apartment nonstop until farm director Josh Bonifay called and informed Falter that he had made the cut.

Falter, who will turn 24 in April, is a 6-foot-4, 207-pound lefthander. He was the club’s fifth-round pick in the 2015 draft out of Chino Hills (Calif.) High and passed on a chance to pitch at UC Santa Barbara because he wanted to get his pro career going.

Falter pitched to a 3.84 ERA in 14 starts at Double-A Reading during a 2019 season that was shortened by an elbow strain. He spent the hiatus in 2020 at home in Southern California adding strength to his frame, and the Phillies liked what they saw when he reported to instructional league in October.

“He came in stronger and more mature body-wise,” Bonifay said.

Falter is a control guy who has registered 8.2 strikeouts and 1.7 walks per nine innings in 382 professional frames. He has a plus changeup that he can use in any count—“It’s a true weapon,” Bonifay said—and a fastball that intrigues Phillies officials.

“He’s got a very live fastball,” Bonifay said. “It’s 93-95 (mph) but with his extension and deception it gets on you very quick. It’s one of those fastballs hitters think they can hit and somehow it stays above the barrel. It has some hop to it.”

Being added to the 40-man roster was a thrill and a relief, but Falter isn’t about to let up. The Phillies are thin on rotation depth. Opportunities could be earned in 2021.

“Getting that phone call, honestly, was surreal,” he said. “It made me really excited to get to work.”

 

 

PHIL-UPS

— In addition to Falter, the Phillies added three other pitchers to the 40-man roster: lefthanders Damon Jones and Kyle Dohy and righthander Francisco Morales. Outfielder Simon Muzziotti and shortstop Nick Maton were also added.

— At least a dozen Phillies minor leaguers are lined up to play in the Australian Baseball League this offseason, including outfielder Cornelius Randolph, the team’s first-round pick (10th overall) in 2015.