Herndon is just one of two players taken in the 2009 Rule 5 draft who remained in the majors with his original selecting team. The other is Hector Ambriz of Cleveland. Carlos Monasterios was plucked from the Phillies' organization by the Mets in the Rule 5 draft and immediately was sold to the Dodgers, where he remains.
It's difficult for teams to keep their Rule 5 picks. The stipulations say a Rule 5 selection must remain on the major-league active roster (or disabled list) for the entire season or else they must be offered back to their former team.
It's even tougher for a contending team to do it.
"They gave me an opportunity," Herndon said. "That's awesome. Luckily, I pitched well enough to stick."
In 491/3 innings, Herndon has a 4.56 ERA. He has struck out 26 and walked 15 in mostly low-leverage situations. The numbers aren't anything spectacular, but Herndon had never pitched above double-A before this season. He turned 25 on Sept. 4.
"For anybody it's a big jump," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "That's a heck of a jump."
Herndon was taken from the Los Angeles Angels and came to spring training as a long shot to make the roster. How much did Dubee know about Herndon then?
"Nothing," he said.
The righthander's sinker played well in spring training and impressed the Phillies enough to carry him on the final roster. They were aware of the drawbacks, specifically his inconsistent secondary pitches. But the team liked his arm enough and wanted him in the organization - even if it meant an unusual season of development for the young pitcher.
During the season, when the Phillies went with just one lefthanded pitcher in the bullpen for a prolonged period of time, Dubee said the team had contemplated making a move on Herndon. That never happened.
"I think this year's experience is going to do him a lot of good," Dubee said.
