Nick Piccone
Well, that’s not good.
News dropped yesterday that Phillies pitching prospect, Jesse Biddle, would have to undergo Tommy John surgery this month, which eliminates his entire 2016 season. Interim general manager, Scott Proefrock, announced the surgery yesterday.
Team physician Michael Ciccotti will perform the operation on Oct. 14 in Philadelphia. The typical recovery time for Tommy John surgery is 12 to 18 months.
Biddle recently went for a second opinion, which confirmed Ciccotti’s diagnosis. The 23-year-old lefthander finished his season with triple-A Lehigh Valley on the disabled list with a shoulder strain.
News of reconstructive surgery is a tough blow for Biddle, drafted 27th overall in 2010 but still yet to reach the major leagues. He reached triple A only this past July and struggled, compiling a 6.25 ERA in nine starts with Lehigh Valley. This was his sixth minor-league season.
Biddle, drafted by the Phillies in the first round in 2010, still hasn’t made it to the big club. Two seasons ago, he suffered a concussion during a hailstorm. His Triple A stint was one of relative anonymity. As of now, it looks like he’s become or will become a bust.