Tyler Phillips
Tyler Phillips debuted with the Phillies in July of last year. His first appearance was out of the bullpen when he allowed a home run and three hits with seven strikeouts in four innings. The 27-year-old was used as a starter in his seven other appearances.
As a starter, his overall performance was average to below average. Phillips' best month was in July, in which he posted a 1.80 ERA and a 0.76 WHIP in three starts and one relief appearance. He began to struggle the following month.
In August, Phillips allowed 17 earned runs. His worst appearance was on Aug. 2 against the Seattle Mariners, in which he surrendered eight earned runs and three homers in only 1 2/3 innings. He then allowed four earned runs in five innings versus the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 7.
The Lumberton, New Jersey native allowed five earned runs, nine hits, and one home run in 4 1/3 innings during his final start of the month on Aug. 14 against the Miami Marlins. Phillips' final start of the season in September was another disappointment. The right-hander was responsible for six earned runs, eight hits, and two home runs in only 2/3 innings versus the Toronto Blue Jays on Sept. 3.
The Phillies have a full rotation, so there is no opening to compete for a starting job during spring training. Phillips could compete for a bullpen spot, as his numbers in seven starts last year do not inspire confidence that he is suited to be in a starting rotation.
However, there are more proven relievers in Philadelphia's bullpen. Phillips has more experience in the minors as a starting pitcher, starting 134 of 154 games over eight seasons. As long as Philly's starting rotation does not suffer multiple injuries over a short period, there is no opening for him as a starting pitcher with the organization.
Taijuan Walker
It is difficult to see Taijuan Walker consistently contributing to the Phillies in 2025, if at all. The starter did not make his first start last season until the end of April due to a right shoulder impingement. His numbers were underwhelming before suffering right index finger inflammation at the end of June: a 5.60 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP in 10 starts. He allowed 58 hits, 12 home runs, 33 earned runs and 21 walks in 52 2/3 innings during this span.
He missed all of July with his injury before returning on Aug. 13. The month was Walker's worst month as a starter, as he compiled a 9.17 ERA and a 2.09 WHIP, surrendering 18 earned runs and six home runs in four starts.
Manager Rob Thomson moved Walker to the bullpen in September, where he did not fare much better. He also made one start and allowed eight earned runs and four homers in 3 1/3 innings. He did not appear in any Phillies postseason games for the second straight season, as he did not make their playoff roster for the NLDS. Thomson annoyed the right-hander by not using him during the 2023 postseason, as he was available to use after making the roster.
President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski did not guarantee Walker a spot in the Phillies' starting rotation for 2025 following the organization's elimination in the 2024 postseason. That was before the trade with the Marlins for Luzardo.
Philly also signed pitcher Joe Ross to a one-year contract this winter. He will be a reliever and a spot starter, similar to what Spencer Turnbull provided last year. The Phillies also have young prospect pitchers Andrew Painter and Mick Abel, who may debut in the majors during 2025 — the former will likely be promoted this summer.
The club is paying Walker too much money to be a reliever, as he's entering the third season of the four-year, $72 million deal he signed before the 2023 season. He would rather be a starter than used out of the bullpen anyway. Unless injuries strike multiple starters during a short period this season, the Phillies have too many pitchers who are better options than the Shreveport, Louisiana, native.
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