How Phils spell relief: C-o-n-v-e-r-t a s-t-a-r-t-e-r

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Long before the Phillies had the Four Aces, Michael Stutes was summoned to a meeting with minor-league pitching coordinator Gorman Heimueller. The team wanted the righthander to become a reliever after starting games his whole life.

That was last spring. Now with a Phillies starting rotation unparalleled in talent and hype, the path of any starting pitching prospect in the system is blocked for at least two seasons while the Four Aces are under contract.

"When they switched me, I was fine with it," said Stutes, 24. "They've made a living by scouting and developing players. They know what they're doing. Now I feel even better. I'm looking around, it's like, 'At least I've got a shot.' "

Stutes is just one of a handful of pitchers the Phillies have converted from starters to relievers. Justin De Fratus, a highly regarded prospect, is another. Antonio Bastardo, Phillippe Aumont, and, most recently, Andrew Carpenter are others.

But, assistant general manager Chuck LaMar says, it's not because of the quality of starting pitching the Phillies have at the major-league level. It just so happens the team has a set rotation without any prospects close to the majors and a bullpen that could require a complete revamping in 2012 with more than a few potential young arms ready to step in.

"It has nothing to do with anything but doing what's best for them and their individual development," LaMar said. "That's just where they fit."

Still, the Phillies do have the luxury of taking chances. This spring, there are just three starting pitchers in camp 25 or younger - Vance Worley, J.C. Ramirez, and Drew Naylor. And even Worley could relieve if the Phillies see enough out of him this spring to merit a roster spot.

Of course, there are three young former Phillies prospects who most likely will begin the season in major-league rotations: J.A. Happ (Houston), Carlos Carrasco (Cleveland), and Kyle Drabek (Toronto).

But mostly, the starting depth in the Phillies' system lies in the lower levels. Single-A Clearwater will have a starting rotation littered with top prospects such as Jarred Cosart, Brody Colvin, and Trevor May.

"It's sort of the next wave," LaMar said.

At double and triple A, the Phillies decided some of their more promising arms were better suited for the bullpen. LaMar insisted those pitchers would have been moved even if there was a need for young, major-league-ready starting pitching.