Phillies’ pitching is looking nasty in Spring Training debuts—and that should be a scary sign for the rest of the MLB

If Thursday was any indication, the Phillies’ pitching staff might be downright unfair this season.

The main issue I’ve had with the discussions surrounding the Phillies heading into Spring Training is the recency bias that has plagued the fanbase so here’s a reminder that the Philadelphia Phillies are NL East Champions. They won 90+ games last year and went ice cold at the wrong time in the postseason against the New York Mets.

It was a miserable ending and definitely raised some warranted doubts about the lineup and the widespread inconsistencies they display at the plate, but at the end of the day, this is a very good baseball club and it’s highlighted by their pitching staff so maybe don’t write them off just yet.

Late last week, Zack Wheeler, Jordan Romano, and José Alvarado made their spring debuts, and the Yankees probably wish they hadn’t. All three lit up the radar gun, blew hitters away, and made it clear that this Phillies staff is not messing around.

Zack Wheeler: Midseason Form in February

Zack Wheeler wasted no time reminding everyone why he’s an ace. His first fastball of the spring? 96 mph, two mph harder than this time last year.

Zack Wheeler was ranked as the best Starting Pitcher in MLB by ESPN!

pic.twitter.com/jonHfYI2K8

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) March 1, 2025

Two scoreless innings. Four punchouts. Wheeler typically ramps up as the season goes on, so seeing him this sharp, this early is a terrifying thought for opposing hitters.

Zack Wheeler’s first and last starts of 2024:

Opening Day
Wheeler: 6 IP | 5 H | 0 ER | 0 BB | 5 K
Bullpen: 3 IP | 8 H | 9 ER | 5 BB | 5 K

NLDS Game 1
Wheeler: 7 IP | 1 H | 0 ER | 4 BB | 9 K
Bullpen: 2 IP | 7 H | 6 ER | 1 BB | 2 K pic.twitter.com/iVRXmBCYlr

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) March 2, 2025

Jordan Romano & Jose Alvarado Bring the Heat

Jordan Romano and José Alvarado weren’t just good—they were downright nasty.

• Romano sat 96-98 mph, looked fully healthy, and punched out two.
• Alvarado hit 100 mph—IN HIS FIRST GAME BACK.

Jordan Romano throws a 1-2-3 inning with 2 Ks 👀 pic.twitter.com/jbVm4gg1Kl

— Absolutely Hammered (@ah_pod) February 27, 2025

A Slimmer, Sharper Alvarado? Sign Me Up.

Alvarado clearly put in the work this offseason, showing up leaner and meaner.

“I had a great offseason. I changed my routine about eating. I lost weight. Latin people, we eat a lot of rice and beans. I switched for more protein, veggies. I came in in good shape and I’m so happy about the result today.”

Alvarado wasn’t the same last year after mid-June, posting a 4.09 ERA after a dominant 2022. If he regains that elite form, the Phillies bullpen is going to be a problem.

José Alvarado Filth. pic.twitter.com/V1Sfpi8tRK

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 2, 2025

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