Every pitcher is a back of the rotation candidate until they prove themselves front of the rotation candidates.
An AAAA pitcher is someone who dominates at AAA but lacks the skill package to ever succeed at the ML level.
Usually a crafty pitcher with a below par FB (86-89) who has good but not great secondary pitches and has decent but not great command.
He can nibble around AAA hitters but gets in trouble in the majors when they lay off the junk and he has to throw strikes.
Leibrandt looks to be that kind of pitcher.
The question with the Phillies' young pitchers is not whether they have major league stuff, which they all do, but whether they'll put it together, stay healthy and give you 25-30 starts above replacement level.
Thompson was throwing just like his scouting report today 91-94, t95, 89-90 two seamer, he was 91-92, t94 today.
If you look at his velocity chart, he's been consistent between last year and this year, except for an appearance a week or so ago.
His problem seems to be primarily nerves, he comes up and stops attacking hitters and starts to nibble.
Leiter doesn't have mediocre stuff, he hits 92 on a regular basis, averages 91.3 and his FB has plus value.
His biggest issue is that he doesn't have a plus secondary pitch, they're all solid but none are exceptional, so he has to mix them up and command them to be effective.
Neither is a top of the rotation guy, but both have shown the potential to be better than replacement level as a 4th or 5th starter.
EIckhoff was a legitimate #3 starter last year, 33s 197 IP 3.65 ERA/4.19 FIP, 2.9 WAR (FG)/3.5 WAR (BR).
This year his velocity took a nose dive, it's good the MRI is clean, but he needs to be checked out because obviously something is wrong.
If he can regain his velocity he could be even better, because pitching without even average velocity (below 90 his last half dozen starts) forced him to develop secondary pitches outside his curve.
Lively averages 91.6 MPH and has a plus FB with movement and deception. His secondary pitches need refinement as does his command.
He pitches to contact, but with a .298 BABIP he's hardly being lucky.
Pivetta will be fine, he was dominating AAA, just started overthrowing in the majors and totally lost command of his FB.
He may be another year away, but he has top of the rotation stuff and the stamina to pitch 200 innings a year.
Velasquez is the likely bullpen candidate, lacks command and durability, bullpen would protect him from those 100+ pitch games.