The Main Event

February 3, 2016 – The Phillies traded former first-round pitching prospect Jesse Biddle to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for right-handed reliever Yoervis Medina, freeing a 40-man roster spot and moving on from a hometown prospect’s recovery period.

Jesse Biddle was born in Philadelphia, and grew up just a few miles from where he would eventually begin his professional career. He attended Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia, where he developed into one of the top pitching prospects in the region. As a junior in high school, he dominated hitters with a 5–0 record, a minuscule earned run average, and strong strikeout totals. His senior year was even more impressive, as he went 9–2 with a 1.04 ERA and struck out 140 batters in less than 60 innings. That performance put him on the radar of major league scouts and made him a legitimate first-round talent. Although Biddle had committed to play college baseball at the University of Oregon, he ultimately chose to sign a professional contract when drafted.

In June 2010, the Philadelphia Phillies selected Biddle with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the MLB Draft. He signed with the team and began his professional career that summer, pitching for the Gulf Coast League Phillies and the Williamsport Crosscutters. Early on, Biddle showed the upside that had made him a first-rounder, but the road ahead would have its twists and turns.

In 2011, he spent the season with the Lakewood BlueClaws, posting a solid season and drawing attention as one of the organization’s top pitching prospects. Baseball America ranked him high among Phillies prospects, and by the end of 2012 he had reached High-A Clearwater, where he was named to the Florida State League All-Star team and finished among the league leaders in several pitching categories.

The 2013 season saw Biddle again climb the ladder, this time with the Double-A Reading Fightin’ Phils. That year, he had a standout outing where he struck out 16 hitters in a single game, setting a team record and showing his ability to miss bats at a high rate.

Injuries and the Hailstorm Incident
The promising momentum that Biddle had built encountered turbulence beginning in 2013 and extending through 2014. In addition to dealing with whooping cough during 2013, he battled other physical setbacks. Then in May 2014, while pitching for Double-A Reading, he was caught in a severe hailstorm. As the storm raged, both windshields of his car shattered. In trying to escape the storm, Biddle was struck in the back of the head by a large hailstone. The impact left him bleeding and later struggling with headaches. He was diagnosed with a concussion and missed a start while he recovered. Although medically cleared to pitch, he admitted afterward that he never quite felt right on the mound, and his performance suffered badly in subsequent outings. Phillies management even shut him down for a time to give him a mental break as he dealt with the lingering effects.

That was far from the only challenge Biddle faced. Over the next couple of seasons, he battled additional injuries, including elbow soreness, plantar fasciitis, and ultimately a torn ulnar collateral ligament that required Tommy John surgery following the 2015 season. That surgery caused him to miss the entire 2016 campaign.

Trade to the Pirates and Road Back
In February 2016, the Phillies traded Jesse Biddle to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for reliever Yoervis Medina. Though the trade marked the end of his time with his hometown club, it also signaled a new opportunity. The Pirates didn’t keep him long, however, designating him for assignment just weeks later. He was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves, where he continued his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He spent 2017 pitching out of the bullpen in the Braves’ minor league system, and the effort paid off when he was called up to the major leagues in 2018.

Biddle made his major league debut for the Braves on April 21, 2018, and earned his first big league win in that appearance, showing flashes of the talent that had once made him a top prospect. Over the next few seasons, he bounced around between the major leagues and Triple-A, and between teams. In 2019, he appeared in relief for the Braves, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers, and later signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds in 2020.

He continued to pitch professionally in the following years, including time overseas in Japan with the Orix Buffaloes in Nippon Professional Baseball. That stint abroad kept him active as he sought another shot at the majors. As of recent reports, Biddle signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks and continued pursuing opportunities to contribute in a relief role.

Reflections on a Career of Promise and Perseverance
Jesse Biddle’s baseball journey has been defined by early promise, significant setbacks, resilience, and adaptation. He has shown talent at every level he’s pitched, from dominating high school hitters in Philadelphia to climbing the minor league ladder, to earning a major league win. Through injuries, health challenges like the concussion from being hit by hail, and the grind of pro baseball’s uncertainty, Biddle kept pursuing his dream until exiting after the 2023 season.

Philadelphia Baseball Events of February 3

February 3, 1994 – The Philadelphia Phillies signed veteran left-handed reliever Norm Charlton to a contract, which was initially a minor league deal. Charlton had been a National League All-Star and key member of Cincinnati’s bullpen earlier in his career, but missed the entire ’94 season with Philadelphia after having to undergo Tommy John surgery. He pitched in 25 games with a 7.36 ERA in 1995 before being released in July and signing with Seattle.

February 3, 2021 – The Philadelphia Phillies signed left-handed starter Matt Moore to a one-year contract, bringing in a veteran arm to the rotation. Moore had pitched in Japan in 2020 and struggled in his one season in Philadelphia with a 6.29 ERA in 13 starts and 11 relief outings.

Recurring – Phillies Truck Day is today! This is the day where the team’s equipment truck departs for spring training in Clearwater, Florida, symbolizing the approaching start of preseason play.

Also… February 3, 1886 – Albert Spalding begins a sporting goods company with $800. He will become the manufacturer of the first official baseball as well as tennis balls, and equipment for basketball, golf and football. Best known as the author of the Spalding Official Baseball Guide, first published in 1878.

Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for February 3

Chicken Hawks (born 1896) – Nelson Louis “Chicken” Hawks was born on February 3, 1896; he played first base for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1925 after spending much of his career in the minor leagues and also saw time in the majors with the New York Yankees. With Philadelphia he hit 5 home runs, drove in 45 and slashed .322/.387/.447/.834. In his two MLB seasons (1921 and 1925) he hit .316/.377/.453/.830.

Ernie Maun (born 1901) – Maun appeared as a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1926 and pitched in 14 games with a 6.45 ERA, marking his last major league opportunity.

Bake McBride (born 1949) – Michael “Bake” McBride was a key contributor to the Phillies’ 1980 World Series championship team, bringing speed (13 stolen bases) and a .309 average to the lineup. McBride was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1974 with St. Louis and came to the Phillies in a deal with the Cardinals in June of 1977. The deal sent Rick Bosetti, Dane Iorg, and Tom Underwood to the Cards for McBride and Steve Waterbury.

Freddie Toliver (born 1961) – A right-hander, Toliver debuted with the Reds in 1984 and was the player to be named later in the trade that sent Bo Diaz to Cincinnati for infielder Tom Foley. Toliver spent three seasons with the Phillies and was 1-7 with a 4.67 ERA.

Austin Davis (born 1993) – The Phillies drafted Davis in the 12th round of the 2014 Draft. He spent two-plus seasons with the Phillies, amassing a 5.86 ERA. He pitched at Triple-A El Paso (San Diego) last season and is currently a free agent.

Also… Fred Lynn (born 1952) – Played 17 MLB seasons with Boston, California (Angels), Baltimore, Detroit, and San Diego.

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