When the Phillies found Eude Brito, they moved quickly to sign him. Brito
was somewhat tucked away in Venezuela and the Phillies were determined not to
let him slip away. They signed him at what they thought was the tender age of
17. Four years later, they would find out that he had actually been 20 when he
was signed, meaning that he wasn’t really progressing as quickly as they had
thought.
The Phillies have tried to push Brito along as they would have if they
knew his true age. The plan hasn’t worked too well and Brito is entering a
critical point in his career. Brito could conceivably be lost in the Rule 5
Draft in December, since the Phillies chose not to add him to the 40 man roster.
If they choose to take the same approach with him after next season, Brito will
qualify to become a six year minor league free agent.
Coming into 2002, the Phillies were impressed with Brito. He had put up
good numbers at Lakewood and the Phillies figured on starting him back at
Lakewood just to pump up his numbers a little and get him a little more
confidence. They figured that he would be up at Clearwater by mid-season at the
latest. When Brito aged three years, they decided to push him along to
Clearwater to start the season and it didn’t go well. Brito struggled and was
soon pulled back to Lakewood for the rest of the season.
The Phillies had decided that in 2003, Brito had to sink or swim and
again put him at Clearwater. This time, he was ready and had a strong season,
going 4-3, 3.09 in 36 games. The season moved Brito back among the more highly
thought of prospects. After all, he is still 25 and if he can handle AA and AAA
in timely fashion, there is plenty of time for Brito to make the majors at a
reasonable age. He is also at that point though where if he stumbles his way
through the upper levels, his age will become a factor.
Thoughts on Brito vary. Some believe that he will have the same kind of
adjustment problems at AA Reading that he did when he went to Clearwater in
2002. Others believe that he has matured and can handle the physical and mental
approach of higher levels. If Brito were three years younger, he would be much
higher on the Phillies list of prospects and would likely be on the 40 man
roster. Instead, the Phillies don’t feel the need to protect him, choosing
instead to protect stronger – and younger – prospects in the
organization.
Eude Brito’s Career Stats
|
Year/Team |
W |
L |
ERA |
SV |
G |
GS |
IP |
H/9 IP |
BB/9 IP |
KO/9 IP |
|
1999
GCL
(Rookie) |
0 |
1 |
5.02 |
0 |
12 |
3 |
28.2 |
12.4 |
6.0 |
7.2 |
|
2000
GCL
(Rookie) |
3 |
5 |
2.54 |
0 |
9 |
7 |
49.2 |
6.9 |
3.4 |
7.6 |
|
2000
Batavia
(Rookie) |
1 |
1 |
5.40 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
18.1 |
7.9 |
1.5 |
5.4 |
|
2001
Lakewood
(Low
A) |
4 |
3 |
2.73 |
6 |
44 |
0 |
69.1 |
6.9 |
1.8 |
7.5 |
|
2002
Clearwater
(High A) |
3 |
3 |
5.71 |
0 |
20 |
0 |
34.2 |
10.3 |
3.6 |
7.0 |
|
2002
Lakewood
(Low
A) |
1 |
1 |
2.55 |
1 |
11 |
0 |
17.2 |
7.1 |
3.1 |
5.6 |
|
2003
Clearwater
(High A) |
4 |
3 |
3.09 |
6 |
36 |
0 |
58.1 |
7.7 |
4.2 |
8.3 |
|
Career Minor
League Totals |
16 |
17 |
3.59 |
13 |
136 |
13 |
273 |
8.2 |
3.4 |
7.5 |