• Find team by: Affiliation | Class | Geography
     
08/27/2008 11:50 AM ET
Journal: Savery reflects on first full season
Clearwater lefty prepared for final start, ready to recharge batteries
By Joe Savery  / Special to MLB.com
Joe Savery is 6-3 with a 3.39 ERA in 12 games since the Florida State League All-Star break. (Jerry Hale/MLB.com)

ADVERTISEMENT
• Joe Savery's player page
• 2008 Player Journals
• Shop for Clearwater Threshers gear

The 19th overall pick by Philadelphia in 2007, Savery posted a 2.73 ERA for Williamsport in his pro debut after earning All-American honors three times as the premier two-way player in the nation at Rice. The 22-year-old southpaw then posted a 0.64 ERA for the Peoria Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League.

Send Joe an email

Hello everyone!

This is Joe Savery coming to you for the last time in the 2008 season. Wednesday will be my final appearance on the mound as I try to wrap up what has been a pretty good second half. Outside of one really bad start, I have been very effective in the second half and look forward to building on that next year.

Looking back, it has been a very interesting year and I will take home some great memories. Getting to spend a few weeks at big-league camp was a great experience as I got to see what it will take to be successful at the Major League level. I have made all my starts this year in the Florida State League and that is something I am proud of in my second year after shoulder surgery.

I also hit in four games this season as the DH and collected the first three hits of my young career. Although we didn't win as a team as much as we wanted to, we have played more games than any other team! This is because Tropical Storm Fay managed to hit every part of this state except the Tampa/Clearwater area. I think everyone around here still can't decide how we feel about that.

With only a few games left, I am caught between the feelings of "I can't believe it's over" and "I can't wait to go home and get some rest." I am both physically and mentally worn out, and I know that getting some time off will refresh my body and my mind.

Although I am not sure exactly what the offseason will bring me, I know I will be back in Houston enjoying my friends and family. I plan to go to work for FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) on a part-time basis and watch as much college football as possible. This will be the first time in my life I won't have anywhere to be. No ball. No school. It is going to be different, but I am looking forward to taking advantage of it.

In closing, I want to thank God for keeping me healthy this year. I want to thank all my coaches and the people around me who have worked hard to help me become a better player. Thanks to all the people in Clearwater who have made my stay here a good one, especially all the people at Lenny's, home of the best breakfast in Clearwater! I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to read my journals and follow my career. Lastly, thanks to the staff at MiLB.com for giving me the opportunity to do this.

God bless everyone and we will see you in 2009!

Joe Savery is a pitching prospect in the Philadelphia Phillies organization and a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.