JT Realmuto thinks the Phillies rotation features a No. 1 and four No. 2’s

JT Realmuto knows that the Phillies have had strong rotations in the past, but in 2025, it is becoming more apparent that the organization has built a different type of monster.

The Mariners, Diamondbacks, and Dodgers can argue all they want, but with the offseason addition of Jesús Luzardo, the Phillies might just have the best starting staff in baseball. Luzardo made his spring debut on Friday, and if you weren’t already on board with the hype, he gave you plenty of reasons to pay attention.

Luzardo touched 97.7 mph with his sinker in the first inning—a great sign after injuries hampered his 2024 season in Miami. Over two perfect innings, he needed just 20 pitches and generated six whiffs against the Red Sox.

Jesús Luzardo was electric in debut down in Clearwater, Phillies beat Red Sox 7-5

Yeah, that’ll play.

JT Realmuto: “We Have a No. 1 and Four No. 2s”

JT Realmuto knows a thing or two about handling elite pitching, and after Luzardo’s outing, he didn’t hold back on what he sees in this rotation.

“I feel like we have a No. 1 and maybe four No. 2s,” Realmuto told MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki.

JT Realmuto might be underselling it…

• Zack Wheeler is unquestionably the ace of the staff. His 24.7 WAR since 2020 leads all MLB pitchers, and if he’s not the best starter in the game, he’s in the top five.
• Aaron Nola has been one of baseball’s most durable pitchers for a decade. His “odd-year struggles” are a thing, but even in down years, he eats innings like few others in the sport.
• Cristopher Sánchez made an All-Star leap last season, earning down-ballot Cy Young votes while posting a 3.32 ERA over 181.2 innings. He’s bulked up even more this winter, which could mean added velocity.
• Ranger Suárez has a 3.27 ERA over the last four years and is pitching for a contract in 2025. When he’s on, he’s a rock-solid lefty who can go deep into games.
• Jesús Luzardo is the wild card with ace-level upside. If he stays healthy, he gives the Phillies another guy with elite strikeout stuff at the top of the rotation.

And oh yeah—the hype around Andrew Painter is still here and if things still trend in the right direction, we could be seeing him in The Show by mid-Summer.

Is the Phillies Starting Rotation the Best in Baseball?

Call me bias, but yes, the Phillies have the best starting rotation in all of Major League Baseball. Argue with your couch. JT Realmuto’s “four No. 2s” comment wasn’t a slight—it was a warning.

This rotation doesn’t have a weak link. Wheeler is a certified ace. Nola, Luzardo, Sánchez, and Suárez all could be Opening Day starters elsewhere.

So yeah, go ahead and tell me another team that runs five legit top-of-the-rotation guys out there every five days. The Phillies might not just have the best rotation in baseball this season—they might have the best one they’ve ever had.

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