South Philly Review

Photo by Gulf Coast League Phillies

Jesse Biddle celebrates his birthday in late October. With an assist from destiny, he soon will attempt to give himself and local residents unforgettable autumn presents, World Series trophies. The gifted left-handed pitcher —  the Phillies’ No. 1  choice in June’s Major League Baseball Draft — comes to the organization with a winning pedigree and a desire to engross himself in the neighborhood culture.

The Philadelphia native, 18, became an instant inducer of expectations June 7, when the Phillies made him the 27th overall selection in the first-year player draft. Over the next eight days, he inked a contract, which included a $1.16 million signing bonus, graduated from Germantown Friends School and reported to Clearwater, Fla. to begin his professional career.

Debuting June 25, Biddle has made five starts, including two against the Gulf Coast New York Yankees, whose parent club dumped the Phillies in last year’s World Series. His longest outing came Friday, when he pitched four innings against the Gulf Coast Tigers, notching eight strikeouts. Though he resides in a new geographic state, his maturity has remained in the same state that attracted scouts nearly as much as his impressive frame and fastball did.

“Being away from home is new to me, but I am fairly independent,” Biddle, who stands at almost 6-foot-5 and weighs about 225 pounds, said in a recent phone interview.

The regimented rookie begins his daily preparation at 6:15 a.m., except for an off day on Sundays. Already physically intimidating, he wants to add more muscle.

“I’m actually on weight-room probation,” he said with a chuckle. “The team has me restricted to two or three times a week.”

When not lifting, he goes through mandatory shoulder stretching and “a lot of running.”

“Running, that’s the life of a minor league player,” he confessed.

Being independent, Biddle has easily ingratiated himself with his teammates.

“We have a very relaxed clubhouse. I’m getting along great with everyone, especially the Venezuelans and Dominicans because I took five years of Spanish,” Biddle said. “The clubhouse is kind of an extension of high school. We all understand one another’s situations.”
On the mound, Biddle has relied on his blazing fastball, which scouts have clocked as high as 96 mph, to confound hitters.

“I’m not throwing my curveball as much, and I’m developing a harder slider and a stronger change-up,” he said.

His season runs through Aug. 28, meaning that he figures to make either nine or 10 starts. Management has been watching his pitch count, limiting him to a total of 17.1 innings in his previous starts. By season’s end, he is looking to throw at least six frames per start. To be ready to do so, he nourishes himself properly and cheaply.

“The team has it worked out that we can eat all we want at a restaurant for $5 each day,” Biddle said, amazed at his fortune in receiving frugal food.

Because of his pitching style, pundits have feasted on comparing Biddle’s upside to that of a few prominent southpaws, including the approach of former Phillie Cliff Lee.

“The guys whose names I hear mentioned are outstanding pitchers,” he said. “The comparisons flatter me. Lee and [Yankees’ pitcher Andy] Pettite have performed in high stakes games. I’m just beginning my career. I’m a rookie pitcher with a high ERA [earned run average].”

Biddle’s amateur career need not receive short shrift. Last spring, as a senior, he helped the Germantown Friends School Tigers to capture a seventh straight title in the nine-team Friends School League. The four-time time team MVP finished last season with a 9-2 record and an astounding 140 strikeouts over 59.1 innings.

His career impressed, among others, the staff at the University of Oregon, with whom he had signed before the draft. 

“The [Oregon] Ducks have a great program. It will be tough not to honor my commitment, but I have a feeling we’ll all be OK,” Biddle said of choosing baseball over college.

Biddle also spent a portion of his amateur tenure in South Philadelphia. Beginning at age 14 and ending last August, he played for the Philadelphia Senators, a team that mines the area for amateur prospects.