PHILADELPHIA — Rob Thomson has a decision to make soon about how to handle what has been the strongest part of the 2024 Phillies so far. If things go well, it could strengthen a bullpen unit that was very valuable in 2023.
The Phillies currently have six starting pitchers. Either Spencer Turnbull or Cristopher Sanchez, who have both performed well, will soon transition to the bullpen. By doing this, the Phillies would add a new option: A reliever who can pitch for multiple innings to support hard-throwing pitchers who prefer to pitch one inning at a time.
Thomson has postponed making a decision at least until Saturday. Ranger Suarez will pitch on Saturday against the Giants, followed by Taijuan Walker on Sunday and Sanchez on Monday. Zack Wheeler will likely pitch on Tuesday. With a six-man rotation appearing unlikely at this point in the season, Thomson will redistribute resources from a rotation that has pitched the most innings in MLB (190.2), leading in WAR (4.5) and coming in second in ERA (2.50).
“It's a very, very tough decision, probably the toughest decision I've had to make,” Thomson said. “But that's actually a good problem to have.”
Either Turnbull or Sanchez could become a valuable asset for the bullpen, which the Phillies didn’t always have even last year.
Matt Strahm had a unique role in that bullpen. After starting the season in the rotation, he continued to be a pitcher who could pitch for multiple innings and was trusted to pitch in crucial situations. Fourteen of his relief appearances during the regular season involved him pitching four or more outs.
That requires a special set of skills.
“I think it’s about being prepared at any time because it's baseball,” Strahm said. “Baseball situations can arise, and you don't know if it will happen in the first, third, or fifth inning. So, always being ready and not being too stuck in a routine to be able to pick up the ball and go.”
Strahm has specific uncommon qualities for that role. He is effective against both right-handed and left-handed batters. He is proactive in challenging batters, recognizing the importance of each pitch. He is mentally prepared for the unpredictable experience that many hard-throwing relievers may struggle with.
He approaches the role similarly to how Sanchez and Turnbull did, drawing from their experience as starting pitchers. This provides the physical stamina to handle a high pitch count, but the mindset is less common.
“I think it’s about composure and staying calm under pressure,” Thomson said. “I think Spencer has that. I think Sanchy has that. I think many of our guys have that. I think that's one thing. Talent is another, as well as the ability to resolve an inning, the adrenaline rush from having runners on base, resolving the situation, regaining control, and then going back out there to perform again. That's a skill to me. And a few guys can do it. Some guys can’t.”
Based on history, most of the Phillies can't. Strahm had 14 multi-inning appearances in 2023. Jeff Hoffman had 11, initially in less crucial roles before eight important appearances as he adjusted to the season. No one else had more than two (Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto). Despite this, the group still achieved the third-best WAR (6.8) and the seventh-best ERA (3.58) in baseball last season.
If either Turnbull or Sanchez can perform well this year, it can change how a bullpen operates. Having six pitchers who can almost start leaves the end of the bullpen with fewer options. But if either Turnbull or Sanchez can consistently work together, it could create a situation where the main pitchers in the bullpen have essentially every fifth day off.
Strahm excelled in that position last year, and the Phillies might have another player serve in that role this year.
“You see when we acquired Strahm last year, his impact on the entire bullpen because he can pitch two, two-plus innings in high-pressure situations,” Thomson said. “And if you have a player like that or a couple of players like that, it just improves the entire bullpen because you can give players extra rest when they need it.”
