Bryce Harper might be feeling a bit more at ease on defense these days—because the Philadelphia Phillies just added a new arm who’s already turning heads. Jhoan Duran has made quite the first impression since joining the team, delivering a pair of jaw-dropping pitches that left fans and analysts stunned.
But beyond the sheer shock factor, Duran is already proving to be a valuable asset in closing out games. According to stats analyst Sarah Langs, Duran now holds the fastest strikeout by a Phillies pitcher since pitch tracking began in 2008. “At 102.5 mph, Jhoan Duran’s game-ending strikeout was the fastest by a Phillies pitcher under pitch tracking (2008).”
He also fired a 103.3 mph pitch earlier in the same at-bat, which now stands as the fastest pitch thrown by a Phillie in that span. His 102.7 mph heater also made the list, and the 102.5 mph strike—recorded twice—ranks tied for third, alongside Alvarado.
Two strong outings against Detroit
Harper knows the Phillies could use Duran’s elite velocity to keep piling up wins. In his first two games as a Phillie—both against Detroit—Duran tossed two scoreless innings without allowing a hit. It’s a small sample, but an encouraging one.
Duran was already making waves in Minnesota before arriving in Philadelphia. Since debuting with the Twins in 2022, he quickly earned a reputation as a high-powered bullpen arm with serious upside. He finished last season with a 3.64 ERA over 58 appearances, and was sporting a 1.93 ERA this year before the trade.
It’ll take time for Duran to carve out a bigger role in the Phillies’ bullpen, where he’ll have to compete with several reliable arms. But if he keeps this up, there’s potential for him to grow into the closer role the team has been searching for. Sánchez certainly believes in him, saying: “He’s one of the best closers in the game, and we have him on our side. It’s the best thing that could have happened to us.”