Over the next 28 days Philly Pressbox (https://phillypressbox.wordpress.com) (@phillypressbox) will be doing a review and analysis of each Phillies player, Manager Charlie Manuel and the coaching staff leading up to Opening Day 2012.  On Day 23 we preview, David Herndon.

David Herndon – The 26 year old Herndon begins his 3^rd season as a Phillie after being drafted from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as a Rule 5 selection in 2009. Herndon was originally selected in the 5^th round by the Angels in the 2006 amateur draft. An explanation of a Rule 5 draftee is, “Any player selected under Rule 5 is immediately added to his new team’s 40-man roster; thus, teams who do not have an available roster spot may not participate in the Rule 5 draft. Players who are not currently on their team’s 40-man roster are eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 draft. If chosen in the Rule 5 draft, a player must be kept on the selecting team’s 25-man major league roster for the entire season after the draft. He may not be optioned or designated to the minors. The selecting team may, at any time, waive the Rule 5 draftee. If a Rule 5 draftee clears waivers by not signing with a new MLB team, he must be offered back to the original team, effectively canceling the Rule 5 draft choice. Each draftee costs $50,000. If the draftee does not stay on the selecting team’s 25-man (major league) roster all season, the player must be offered back to his original team at half-price.”

Herndon was kept on the Phillies roster in 2010. He posted a 1-3 record with a 4.30 ERA in 47 relief appearances over 52.1 innings of work. Herndon improved in 2011, his 2^nd full season in the big leagues. He posted a 1-4 record but lowered his ERA to a very respectable 3.32. He appeared in 45 games covering 57 innings.

David is a young player with a minimal amount of minor league experience who continues to improve as he learns at the major league level. He still has less than 100 big games of experience and only 109 innings under his belt. He will continue to improve.

Personal Analysis:

There were some real questions if Herndon would make the opening day roster in 2012. He has had a decent Spring Training, coupled with the arm problems of Michael Stutes and Jose Contreras, Herndon should be heading north this week. David will likely be the 7^th inning man, when needed, to fill the gap between the starting pitchers and Antonio Bastardo and Chad Qualls in the 8^th inning. Herndon is also capable of eating up “garbage” innings, when needed, when games get out of hand. We feel Herndon will continue to improve and continue to play an important role on the ballclub. It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that he is only 26 years old. We look for Herndon to contribute as he has over the last 2 years, very few decisions, but continue to lower his earned run average and eat up some bullpen innings as continues to improve his game.

Tomorrow we will preview Juan Pierre.

The series: Day 1, Charlie Manuel. Day 2, The Coaching Staff. Day 3, Roy Halladay. Day 4, Cliff Lee. Day 5, Cole Hamels. Day 6, Vance Worley. Day 7, Joe Blanton. Day 8, Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz. Day 9, Ryan Howard. Day 10, Chase Utley. Day 11, Jimmy Rollins. Day 12, Placido Polanco. Day 13, John Mayberry, Jr. Day 14, Shane Victorino. Day 15, Hunter Pence. Day 16, Brian Schneider. Day 17, Jim Thome. Day 18, Kyle Kendrick. Day 19, Antonio Bastardo. Day 20, Ty Wigginton. Day 21, Chad Qualls. Day 22, Freddy Galvis

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