Veteran pitcher starts season with scoreless streak at Triple-A as depth piece for Phillies organization
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Triple-A Lehigh Valley pitcher Connor Gillispie got the last laugh against Christian Franklin Friday night.
After allowing a first-pitch leadoff base hit to Rochester’s left fielder, Gillispie caught Franklin in no man’s land, picking him off to register the game’s first out.
“It was huge,” Gillispie said. “Shout out to our catcher there. Stubby called it and then gave me when to go and got him.”
This gave the right-handed pitcher the spark he needed to settle in, as he proceeded to toss six scoreless innings for the IronPigs in their 7-2 victory over the Red Wings at Coca-Cola Park. Gillispie struck out six and only surrendered three hits, all of which came in the first two innings, and walked one batter.
“I was able to get ahead, get some quick outs, which is key,” said Gillispie, who threw 67 pitches (44 for strikes) to earn the win. “I felt like I didn’t have my best command in the first maybe inning or so, and then I was able to dial it in.”
Gillispie fired off his pitch at 6:37 p.m., a four-seam fastball that clocked in at 92.9 mph. His fastball topped out at 94 mph in the fifth inning, and his off-speed arsenal consisted of the cutter, sweeper and changeup.
“It was good day,” Gillispie said, noting his velocity was just about where he wanted it. “Always striving for more, but we’ll take it for April.”
The 28-year-old was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the ninth round of the 2019 MLB draft, making his big-league debut for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024 after the team picked him up in the previous year’s Rule 5 draft. Gillispie accumulated an 8.65 ERA for the Miami Marlins in 2025 before being designated for assignment, and spent time in the Minnesota Twins’ minor-league system before signing a deal with the Phillies in February.
Friday marked Gillispie’s first start for the IronPigs after making two appearances out of the bullpen. He has gone 13 straight scoreless innings with 15 strikeouts to kick off 2026, and currently sits at a 3-0 record on the year. The adjustment into the starting rotation didn’t present any challenges for Gillispie, who said he treats his relief outings as if he’s starting.
“It’s not too much different,” he said. “I warmed up as if I was going to start, and then just went to the ‘pen and waited.”
Gillispie’s strong start to the season further solidifies the Phillies’ pitching depth at the Triple-A level. Alan Rangel has been the IronPigs most consistent starter thus far, posting a 1.08 ERA through three games in his push to slide back into the Phillies’ pitching plans. Jean Cabrera, Phillies Nation’s No. 11 Phillies prospect, will also look to settle in after allowing eight earned runs across his two starts.
Relievers Griff McGarry and Jonathan Hernández both tossed scoreless innings on Friday after shaky starts to the 2026 campaign, and veterans Trevor Richards, Chase Shugart and Seth Johnson have all held their own out of the bullpen.
The IronPigs sit at second in the International League East with a 9-4 record as of Friday and will close out their series against Rochester on Sunday. Gillispie will hit the mound next in the team’s road trip against the St. Paul Saints next week.