Jhoan Duran Emerges as Dominant Closer for Phillies

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Jhoan Duran has quickly made a name for himself as a formidable closer for the Philadelphia Phillies. The 2025 season has seen him thrive with his signature pitch, the splitter, which has become a game-changing asset on the mound.

Duran, who was a highly sought-after player at the MLB trade deadline, wielded his splitter with remarkable effectiveness, leading to a surge in his career as a reliever. “I tried to throw a two-seamer,” Duran explained about his pitch evolution, referring to a bullpen session in which he accidentally developed a more effective splitter than he originally intended. “I moved the ball and tried to mix it up. I tried to put something different on it.”

Before joining the Phillies, Duran began to hone this exceptional pitch while playing for the Minnesota Twins. His breakout moment came during a minor league game when he first recognized its potential. “That’s my pitch,” he recalled after an impressive game where he threw seven innings with the splitter.

Since transitioning to a closer role, Duran has embraced this pitch fully, throwing it nearly 39.2% of the time, with an astonishing average speed of 97.8 mph and an average launch angle of -11 degrees. He has even reached 100 mph with his splitter five times this season and boasts a historical milestone as the only player to achieve a 100-mph offspeed pitch during a game.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson acknowledged Duran’s impact, noting the remarkable evolution of his game. In just 70 appearances this season, Duran has posted an impressive 1.99 ERA, secured 31 saves, and recorded 77 strikeouts across 68 innings pitched.

Fans of the Phillies have been treated to an exhilarating performance as Duran continues to astound on the mound, and the team hopes to ride his exceptional talent deep into the postseason.