2008 Projections: Philip Humber March 10th, 2008 at 9:07 pm

By Kris Richardson

Continuing on with the 2008 projection series, we now reach Philip Humber. He’s the 6th pitcher I’m covering, which doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t make the starting rotation. He is fighting for that fifth spot along with a couple other guys.

Year	Age	ERA	W	L	INN	HR	BB	K
2008 ZiPS	26	5.61	6	10	122.0	25	34	71
2007	25	7.71	0	0	7.0	0	1	2
2006	24	0.00	0	0	2.0	1	2	2

Humber was drafted by the Mets as the third overall pick in 2004. Shortly after starting his professional career at the minor league level, he faced Tommy John surgery. He worked his way back by 2006, but hasn’t been able to regain his velocity and has yet to become the 1st round pick the Mets drafted.

Now he finds himself in Minnesota fighting for a fifth spot on the rotation. So far he’s pitched six scoreless innings in the spring, while the incoming favorite for the fifth starter job, Kevin Slowey, has struggled thus far. If not a starter immediately, he could spend some time in the bullpen waiting for a spot to become available, or he may start out at the AAA level as a starter.

Either way, Humber adds depth to a rotation that is relatively young and has some questions marks.