5 Phillies pitchers who've taken full advantage of spring training opportunities

The Philadelphia Phillies will play their first game of the 2025 Major League Baseball season in just two weeks. As spring training nears its end, roster cuts continue as the team prepares to finalize the Opening Day roster.

The final bench spot is still up for grabs, but many of the Phillies’ pitchers have taken full advantage of their spring training opportunities, particularly bullpen arms vying for certain roles.

5 Phillies pitchers who've taken full advantage of spring training opportunities

Jordan Romano, RHP

The Phillies signed former Toronto Blue Jays two-time All-Star closer Jordan Romano to a one-year deal this offseason. Romano made consecutive All-Star appearances from 2022-23 and has a career 2.90 ERA with 105 saves.

Romano’s 2024 season was cut short after being shut down for the year at the end of May with a right elbow injury. The right-hander pitched only 13 2/3 innings.

The Phillies hope Romano can return to his All-Star form and successfully take over a late-inning high-leverage role previously held by Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez who are no longer with the team. The 31-year-old has impressed through five spring training innings pitched, recording a 0.80 WHIP, two holds, six strikeouts and a 10.8 K/9 without allowing an earned run. He’s allowed just three hits and one walk in five appearances.

José Alvarado, LHP

José Alvarado is a reliever the Phillies will heavily count on in 2025. The hard-throwing left-hander has shown signs of a dominant late-inning arm throughout his four-year Phillies career, but the 2024 season was alarming.

Alvarado had an impressive 14.29 K/9 in 2022 and posted a 1.74 ERA across 41 1/3 innings in 2023. His sinker is as dominant as they come, reaching triple digits, and his cutter generates a lot of swings and misses. The 29-year-old’s K/9 dropped to 9.19 in 2024 and he had command issues throughout the season.

The Phillies are counting on Alvarado to bounce back this season and be a reliable late-inning reliever. He’s had a strong start in spring training, recording a 1.00 WHIP, two holds, 12 strikeouts and a 21.6 K/9 without allowing a run through five innings pitched. He’s allowed just two hits and three walks.

John McMillon, RHP

The Phillies claimed John McMillon off waivers from the Miami Marlins in November and invited him to spring training as a non-roster invitee. The right-hander has a career 1.69 ERA and 21 strikeouts across 16 innings pitched between the Kansas City Royals and Marlins.

The Phillies’ new-look bullpen isn’t set heading into the 2025 season, so players like McMillon have had the opportunity to earn a role this spring. He’s taken full advantage.

McMillon owns a 1.00 WHIP and has recorded five strikeouts for an 11.3 K/9 without allowing a run this spring. The 27-year-old has allowed just one hit and three walks in four innings pitched.

McMillon may not make the Opening Day roster, but he’ll likely contribute to the Phillies’ bullpen at some point during the season.

José Ruiz, RHP

José Ruiz was a pleasant surprise for the Phillies a season ago after signing a minor league deal with the organization after the 2023 season. He made his first appearance with the team on May 4, pitching two scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants.

Ruiz finished the 2024 season with a 5-1 record, 3.71 ERA, one save and 52 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched. The right-hander was a reliable arm and was used in many situations.

Ruiz is out of minor league options, so he’ll have to continue to perform at a high level to remain with the team. The 30-year-old has seemingly taken a stranglehold on a role in the bullpen heading into the 2025 season with a strong spring training performance. Ruiz is 1-0 with a 0.75 WHIP, five strikeouts and an 11.3 K/9 while allowing only two hits, one walk and no runs across four innings pitched.

Cristopher Sánchez, LHP

Cristopher Sánchez enjoyed a breakout season in 2024 as a part of the Phillies’ elite starting rotation. He earned the first All-Star selection of his career and received a four-year contract extension mid-season. He finished in the top 10 in the National League Cy Young Award voting.

Sánchez had an 11-9 record with a 3.32 ERA and 1.24 WHIP last year. The left-hander has been known to be a groundball pitcher with a lower strikeout rate. He’s shown signs of increased velocity through four starts this spring, nearing triple digits, and has a high 13.11 K/9.

Much attention has been directed toward Phillies starters Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Ranger Suárez over the years, and deservingly so, but Sánchez seems to be finally getting national recognition after the 2024 season and his impressive spring.

In addition to his increased velocity and higher strikeout rate, Sánchez has a 2.31 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 17 strikeouts this spring. The 28-year-old has allowed eight hits, two walks and only three earned runs in 11 2/3 innings pitched. He’s a legitimate Cy Young candidate heading into the 2025 season, joining Wheeler who was the runner-up to Atlanta Braves southpaw Chris Sale last year.

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