Phillies' 2.12 ERA reliever prospect expected to be promoted soon

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Phillies' 2.12 ERA reliever prospect expected to be promoted soon originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Philadelphia Phillies have a bullpen problem, as Brad Keller is likely done for the season, and there are a few players who aren't having good seasons.

With how clear the bullpen need is, it should come as little surprise that the Phillies have interest and are being connected to reliever trade targets. But they could promote from within as well.

According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies are expected to promote a reliever who has a 2.12 ERA. However, this reliever, 25-year-old Alex McFarlane, is not expected to get the MLB promotion just yet.

Phillies expect to make bullpen call-up, just not to MLB​

"McFarlane is expected to be promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in the near future, according to team sources who were not authorized to speak publicly," Gelb reports.

While it's exciting to see a potentially very important player get promoted up a level in the Phillies organization, this promotion isn't to the Majors.

McFarlane has actually been on the MLB roster before, though he hasn't made an appearance. That's not changing, at least for now, as this promotion is to Triple-A, not the Major Leagues.

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The 25-year-old right-hander has a 2.12 ERA this season in 31 appearances with 12 saves in 13 save opportunities, and 45 strikeouts in 34 innings of work.

There's some intriguing potential with McFarlane, and he's someone the Phillies could promote to the Majors later this season to be a high-upside member of the bullpen.

He could earn an MLB promotion this season, but that's not going to come until later in the year, with this looming promotion set to be for Triple-A.

McFarlane is expected to be promoted, just not yet to the Major Leagues. Triple-A is his next stop. He's a player Phillies fans should keep an eye on, as he might be a key part of either a trade at the deadline or the bullpen come this October.

More MLB news:​

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• Why Astros are trading Lance McCullers to the Brewers
• Mason Miller shares honest thoughts on Yankees trade rumors
• Red Sox trade rumor involving All-Star shortstop includes Yankees, Braves
• Blue Jays could do something crazy and trade for Bo Bichette

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