Some pitchers in the system are arguing for a call-up after the Phillies relievers had a difficult start to the season.
Before Sunday’s series finale against the Miami Marlins, the Philadelphia Phillies had the third-worst bullpen ERA in Major League Baseball (5.54), after 21 games. Following a few years of success, the 2025 Phillies are slipping back into the ruins and reminding fans of bullpens from the Joe Girardi era.
The team’s 2024 postseason run ended, and two of their best relievers, Carlos Estévez and Jeff Hoffman, left during the offseason, leaving the arm barn shattered but not destroyed. The season has begun well for returning elite relievers including 2024 All-Star Matt Strahm, José Alvarado, and Orion Kerkering, who have combined for just five runs allowed in 24 2/3 innings.
Other players, however, have had a really difficult time. Carlos Hernández, Joe Ross, José Ruiz, and Jordan Romano have combined for 16 free passes that have put batters on base and 33 earned runs that have crossed the plate. After a mechanical tweak, Romano looked fantastic in three appearances, but his implosion on Saturday set him back once more.
4 candidates Phillies should consider calling-up to help the big league bullpen
Although it’s probably too early for the organization to make a big deal, the Phillies have a number of prospects who could immediately fill a bullpen spot and contribute a different skill set. If the major league bullpen continues to struggle, the front office should think about bringing up these four minor league arms.
Koyo Aoyagi, RHP
After having a rough first spring training, Koyo Aoyagi, a former Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league veteran, has settled in for his first season in the United States.
The 31-year-old pitched to a 3.08 ERA in 214 games over his nine seasons with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan. The native of Yokohama appeared noticeably frightened and uneasy during his spring training sessions, and he ended up pitching terribly, giving up four runs in three innings. However, the sidearmer had been excellent when the calendar turned to baseball that mattered.
In seven innings pitched for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs in 2025, Aoyagi has struck out eight batters and given up just one run. Even though he has had some command issues—walking five batters and hitting two—he has considerably more elite professional experience than any player in the minor league organization, and his unique delivery might help him have a successful rookie season.
Joel Kuhnel, RHP
Joel Kuhnel, a right-hander with 11 years of major league experience, has been excellent with Lehigh Valley to start 2025 after stints with Tampa Bay, Houston, and Cincinnati.
The native of North Carolina has pitched to a 1.93 ERA in 9 1/3 innings, walking only one batter and striking out ten. With a 5.9 percent strikeout-to-walk ratio in his 93 2/3 MLB innings, Kuhnel tosses a ton of strikeouts while limiting walks. With the ability to mix and match and alter patterns, his five-pitch combination—which includes a sinker that has topped 100 mph earlier in his career—gives him an advantage over most relievers.
Kuhnel would have to clear a 40-man roster slot for the Phillies, which would add another layer of uncertainty to his journey to the major leagues. However, his track record and strong start to the season might persuade the front office to give him a chance.
Devin Sweet, RHP
Devin Sweet, a former Seattle Mariner and current Athletics reliever, has a very likeable background, throws a lot of pitches, and gets a lot of strikeouts.
The small-righty showed off his skills for Triple-A Toledo, striking out 111 batters in 76 innings prior to being acquired from the Tigers. His command has been an issue, though, as he has a 4.4 BB/9 during his stint at Triple-A, similar to that of the majority of fringe MLB bullpen pitchers. In 6 2/3 Triple-A innings this season, he has a 1.35 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP, but he has struggled with command at one point, giving up four walks while striking out four.
Although there is no denying Sweet’s talent, he occasionally struggles to stay in the zone, which isn’t always what a major league team would want in a last-minute addition. Given that he pitched those 76 innings in just 52 games last season, his ability to pitch multiple innings would provide manager Rob Thomson greater flexibility. Sweet is a true Swiss-army knife who can deliver quality relief and eat innings.
Max Lazar, RHP
The 25-year-old Max Lazar made his Phillies debut last season and had glimpses of MLB-caliber pitching, recording an ERA of 4.61 in 13 2/3 innings. He has only given up three earned runs in eight innings since joining the IronPigs in 2025, recording a 3.38 ERA and 0.88 WHIP.
Due to his status within the organization and his experience with the major league squad, the Florida native is considered a longshot possibility. He is one of the final relievers on the 40-man roster who is not currently a member of the team. Lazar can span over several innings and has a conventional four-pitch mix.
Others like Nabil Crismatt and Seth Johnson have outside chances of being called up if the Phillies are searching for minor league starters to cover a bullpen roll. Johnson is on the 40-man roster and would be a simpler call-up, but Crismatt would have to find a 40-man spot. Both have MLB experience.
