The Phillies need to invest in starting pitching depth
The Phillies started 2024 hot, as one of the best, if not the best, team in MLB. Through the first half, the Phillies boasted a 62-34 record, a .646 winning percentage. Post All-Star break, the Phillies made a complete U-turn, going 33-33, an exact .500 record. One of the biggest reasons for this was their lack of pitching depth.
Throughout the regular season, manager Rob Thomson trotted out 12 different starting pitchers, only seven of which that had major league starting experience. A string of injuries to Spencer Turnbull, Taijuan Walker and Ranger Suárez, along with some poor performances from the latter two, left the team stuck and almost out of options.
Players like Kolby Allard, Tyler Phillips and Seth Johnson making spot starts down the stretch for a postseason-bound team that many dubbed the best team in baseball was not a very good look. They had their moments, but they were usually followed by a lot more bad moments, which not only led to more losses but also brought down the team around them. Days when Walker was on the mound you could find endless posts on social media site X about how the game was a scheduled loss or other negative comments.
A fifth (and beyond) starter can do more than just give you a few innings every fifth day. They can go out and compete and give you a real chance, even having their own role on a postseason team like Noah Syndergaard did for the Phillies just a couple of seasons ago. Turnbull, the former Detroit Tiger, was a great addition last offseason when healthy. His 2.65 ERA was the lowest of any supplementary starter.
The Phillies are expecting to get their top pitching prospect Andrew Painter back in 2025 and he will likely be a part of the rotation. The other farm options include Mick Abel and Griff McGarry who have shown flashes of elite potential but have not been up to par this season. Turnbull will be a top option for a new contract as he performed well with the squad in limited opportunities.
Other free agent starting pitcher names, such as Shane Bieber or Frankie Montas, could intrigue the front office enough to spend the cash.
If the Phillies want to take the next step in 2025, they can not continue to wave the white flag every fifth game in hopes of a miracle.