The Phillies’ take in the Joe Blanton trade earlier this month was finalized Thursday, when the Dodgers sent them right-hander Ryan O’Sullivan as the player to be named later in the deal.
Prospect acquired by Phillies
- Ryan O’Sullivan, RHP: The No. 18 prospect on the Dodgers’ Top 20 at the time of the trade, Ryan O’Sullivan was a 2011 fourth-round pick, but he hasn’t exactly taken the easy road. The right-hander didn’t sign out of high school, instead honoring a commitment to San Diego State. An elbow injury, then academic troubles, forced him to junior college. He didn’t pitch in the spring of 2011, but the Dodgers drafted him based on strong bullpen sessions. He’s pitched well in his first full season, earning a promotion from the Class A Midwest League to the Class A Advanced California League. O’Sullivan can run his fastball up to around 95 mph and he complements it with a slider and changeup. He has both started and relieved this year and had some success in both roles.
- Top 20 Prospects: Phillies | Dodgers
- — Jonathan Mayo
O’Sullivan, 21, is a younger brother of Sean O’Sullivan, who pitched for the Angels and Royals the previous three seasons and is currently pitching in the Toronto system. Ryan O’Sullivan was drafted by the Dodgers in the fourth round in 2011, and began the year as MLB.com’s No. 18 Dodgers prospect.
O’Sullivan, 6-foot-2 with a mid-90s fastball, went 3-2 with a 3.57 ERA in 14 outings and 17 2/3 innings in the Class A Advanced California League, his second stop this season. He had a 2.92 ERA in 71 innings in the Class A Midwest League.
The Dodgers put in waiver claims on Phillies starters Joe Blanton and Cliff Lee just after the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. Blanton was traded on Aug. 3.
The Phillies chose O’Sullivan from a short list but he couldn’t be traded until a year had passed since he signed his first contract.
Blanton is scheduled for his third start with the Dodgers on Thursday afternoon. He’s gone 0-1 with six runs allowed in 11 innings since the trade.
Evan Drellich is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @EvanDrellich. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
