Refocused Savery takes pressure off himself

ALLENTOWN - The road to the big leagues is never the same and full of ups and downs. Joe Savery is no exception.

The Phillies first-round draft pick out of Rice University in 2007 started his trek as a starting pitcher. His climb was steady, reaching the IronPigs at the Triple-A level last season after notching 16 wins in Reading in 2009.

Last season in Lehigh Valley, the wheels came off on his road to Philly. A 1-12 campaign with an ERA of 4.66 left Savery with questions about his future as the numbers were deceiving.

"In '09 I probably didn't deserve 16 wins, and last year I deserved more than one win," Savery said. "but now I feel like a new player. I'm definitely feel like a different ball player."

Savery has pitched like a different ball player as well. He started the season as a first-baseman/designated hitter at Clearwater. A .307 batting average earned him a promotion to Reading where he was relegated to the DH position.

The Phillies then pushed him back out on to the mound for Reading on June 28, and the results were astounding. Savery pitched two innings of shutout relief of starter J.C. Ramirez. In six appearances for the R-Phils, the lefty posted a 1.00 ERA, striking out 14 and walking none.

"I think having the velocity back gives me more weapons and that I have more to compete with and that certainly has put my mind at ease," Savery said.

The move to being a position player had a impact on this new version of Joe Savery who is now confident with a refreshed outlook on getting hitters out.

"As a hitter I didn't want to swing at the first pitch, I was like 'throw me a ball' so I could get a head in the count," Savery said.

Getting behind in the count made the at-bat tougher on Savery. Although that is something he knew as a pitcher, his time in the batters box reinforced the pressure the batter felt when the pitcher has the advantage.

"Hitting is tough, and as an athlete you want to keep the pressure on the other person," Savery said. "Since I've gotten back on the mound I've been trying to get ahead. I try to remember that and to be aggressive and put the pressure."

As a position player, Savery also had a moment to reflect and get refocused on baseball.

"I've taken some pressure off myself. I was a high pick and had visions of being in the big leagues by 25-years old.," the 25-year old said. "Things haven't worked out that way an you just come to grips with it."

Much of the turnaround can be attributed to his role as a short reliever. Rather than help every fifth day, Savery has to be sharp and ready at a moments notice to fill in relief or pinch hit to help the team win.

"I don't have to chart. I don't have to sit around for four days twiddling my thumbs, chewing seeds and bubble gum all day trying to pass the time," Savery said. "I like the short relief role. I like going out there for three or six outs, letting it fly and getting out of there."

In taking the mound last Thursday during the second game of double header, Savery pitched two shutout innings and was awarded the win as the 'Pigs defeated Syracuse 5-2.

"I feel I am lucky and this is a good spot for me," Savery said. "I've enjoyed this role as much as any I've had as a pitcher so far."

PIGLETS: Saturday's 8-6 win over Syracuse gave them a franchise high 18-games over .500 (56-38), the win was also their 28th win on the road in 2011, surpassing the total for all of last season ... Kevin Frandsen had the game-winning RBI in his first two games since returning from his 50-game suspension for violating the MiLB drug policy ... Frandsen had a streak of seven straight multi-hit games broken Monday night.