A Sleeping Giant in the Philadelphia Phillies Bullpen

Author Colin Newby

February 22nd 9:10 AM

Gregory Soto finished his first season with the Philadelphia Phillies with an ERA over a full run higher than the combined numbers that earned him All-Star appearances the previous two seasons. 

Dave Dombrowski kept the majority of the Phillies roster intact after the heartbreaking loss in the 2023 NLCS. The idea of running it back suggests on the surface that the same team will take the field. However, major leaguers change from year-to-year.

More consistent contributions from established players like Trea Turner and Bryce Harper could change the outlook. Soto is one Phillies pitcher who could also make a jump to improve the club’s chances to compete with the Atlanta Braves to win the National League East pennant.

Gregory Soto

Ricky Bottalico spoke on The Philly Hot Stove Show about a loaded bullpen that could potentially become one of the Phillies’ biggest strengths in 2024. He expressed confidence in the big names like Jose Alvarado and Seranthony Dominguez. He also pointed out potential improvement from Soto with a different workload.

“There’s reasoning for him (Soto) not looking good last year. I am a firm believe that he was beat up.” -Ricky Bottalico

Soto’s appearances and innings pitched in 2023 comparably mirrored his numbers with the Detroit Tigers in 2021 and 2022. However, the left-handed fireballer didn’t settle into a consistent role throughout the season.

Soto saved 18 games in 2021 and 30 in 2022, but he only closed the door three times for Philadelphia in 2023. Rob Thomson and the Phillies aren’t likely to definitively assign the closer role in 2024 either, but the health of Alvarado and Dominguez could affect Soto as much as his two respective teammates. 

Seranthony Dominguez went from June 15- July 26 between appearances, and Alvarado missed an overlapping stretch from July 6- August 22.

The Phillies turned to Soto in the meantime as one of their primary options in high-leverage situations. He maintained steady numbers for most of the stretch. However, Thomson drifted away from using the fifth-year reliever in some of the biggest available spots late in the season.

Soto made only five postseason appearances. Six of the nine outs he recorded came during the 9th inning of games already well out of reach.  

The 2024 Phillies Bullpen 

MLB relief pitchers experience ebbs and flows as much as any other position in sports. Although Soto posted underwhelming numbers in 2023, he still has the arm to return to form as a key piece at the back end of the bullpen.

He has swing-and-miss potential from the mound. His strikeout to walk ratio (SO/W) even jumped from 1.75 to 2.95, indicating better command as a more experienced reliever and the ability to maintain his strikeout pitches.

The Phillies dealt Nick Maton and Matt Vierling as the centerpieces of the trade that brought Gregory Soto to Philadelphia. They acquired significantly more upside, and they saw flashes of it in 2023. However, Soto left some meat on the bone, and he’ll look to ramp to another level in 2024.

Download the 97.5 The Fanatic app to hear The Philly Hot Stove Show with Ricky Bottalico.

Every Number The Phillies Have Retired, and 3 They Should

• #1- Richie Ashburn

  2,574 hits, 234 steals, 1322 runs, all while playing great defense in Center field. Richie Ashburn was one of a kind. He was the 2nd player to go onto the Phillies Wall of Fame, has a section of Citizens Bank Park named after him, and of course, had his #1 retired by the Phillies. He also went on to serve as the Phillies Color Commentator for years alongside Harry Kalas

  National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ on Twitter: "Richie Ashburn was born #OTD in 1927. In 15 big league seasons, the Hall of Fame center fielder hit over .300 nine times, retiring with a career .308 batting average. pic.twitter.com/PymUvuZR9k / Twitter"

  Richie Ashburn was born #OTD in 1927. In 15 big league seasons, the Hall of Fame center fielder hit over .300 nine times, retiring with a career .308 batting average. pic.twitter.com/PymUvuZR9k

• #14- Jim Bunning

  Jim Bunning only spent 6 of his 17 seasons with the Phillies. But he made the most of that limited time. Bunning is perhaps best known for his Father’s Day Perfect Game. He is one of just two pitchers to throw a perfect game for the Phillies (we will get to the other guy later). Bunning made 9 All-Star teams, is on the Phillies Wall of Fame, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame as well. Now his number 14 hangs up in Citizens Bank Park, and will never be worn by a Phillies player again.

  Philadelphia Phillies on Twitter: "On this date in 1964, the late Jim Bunning tossed the seventh perfect game in MLB history in a 6-0 victory over the Mets. pic.twitter.com/cP5WNiRNHg / Twitter"

  On this date in 1964, the late Jim Bunning tossed the seventh perfect game in MLB history in a 6-0 victory over the Mets. pic.twitter.com/cP5WNiRNHg

• #15- Dick Allen

  The most recent name to go up there among the retired numbers at Citizens Bank Park. As of now, Allen is the only Phillies player to have his number retired to not be in the Hall of Fame. But that is the MLB’s mistake for not inducting him yet. Allen is definitely deserving of being there. Allen has 351 HRs, 1,119 RBIs, an MVP Award, and 7 All-Star Appearances. The fact that the MLB has continued to snub Allen from the Hall of Fame played a big decision in John Middleton retiring his number 15 in 2020.

  

  (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

• #20- Mike Schmidt

  Schmidt is the best player in Phillies history. There are some others guys you could maybe argue for, but none with the resume of Schmidt. He is also the Greatest 3rd Basemen in baseball history period. 12- All-Star Games, 10 Gold Gloves, 3 MVPs, and a  World Series victory, to go with his 548 HRs and 1594 RBIs. There is a very good reason no Phillies player will ever wear the number 20 ever again.

• #32- Steve Carlton

  Carlton has a strong case to be the best Left-handed Pitcher ever. 4 Cy Youngs. He was the first pitcher to ever accomplish that. He is also one of the rare cases of a trade actually going well for the Phillies. He and Schmidt helped break the Phillies curse and win the first World Series in the history of the franchise. And now no one will ever wear his number 32 again for the Phillies.

  

  (Photo by Chris Gardner-Pool/Getty Images)

• #34-Roy Halladay

  No one spent less time with the Phillies but still had their number retired. Just 4 seasons, only 3 of which went well. But he did more in those few seasons than anyone does in their career. He won a Cy Young, tossed the 2nd Perfect Game in Phillies History, and the 2nd Playoff No-Hitter in MLB History. He sadly passed way before his time, and in the wake of that tragedy, they made the decision to posthumously honor him by retiring his #34.

  https://x.com/MLB/status/1224733844131151876?s=20

• #36- Robin Roberts

  Robin Roberts pre-dates the Cy Young award, otherwise, he may have a ton of them. He had a 3.41 career ERA, led the league in Complete Games 5 straight times, wins 4 straight times, an strikeouts 2 straight years. He was the first Phillies player to ever go onto the Wall of Fame and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976. Which explains why the Phillies retired his #36.

  National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ on Twitter: "The @Phillies retired Robin Roberts' No. 36 #OTD in 1962 - while Roberts was still an active player. In 14 years in Philadelphia, the righty won a then-team record 234 games. pic.twitter.com/rxCnHTDeCx / Twitter"

  The @Phillies retired Robin Roberts' No. 36 #OTD in 1962 - while Roberts was still an active player. In 14 years in Philadelphia, the righty won a then-team record 234 games. pic.twitter.com/rxCnHTDeCx

• #42- Jackie Robinson

  Jackie never played for the Phillies. But he became the first and only player to have his number retired by every MLB Team. What Jackie Robinson did was so much bigger than baseball. He was an amazing player, but more importantly, he broke the color barrier in the league. His actions allowed so many more all-time great Baseball players to get their chance. The Phillies have their own shameful role to play in that story. But thankfully now they can join the rest of the MLB in honoring his memory by retiring his number 42. Except on Jackie Robinson Day when everyone wears it.

  Talkin' Baseball on Twitter: "In 2007 Ken Griffey Jr. called MLB commissioner Bud Selig's house to ask if he could wear #42 on Jackie Robinson DaySelig called Rachel Robinson to ask her permission, and he came back with a better idea. Now everyone wears it pic.twitter.com/WkD5YpuGvZ / Twitter"

  In 2007 Ken Griffey Jr. called MLB commissioner Bud Selig's house to ask if he could wear #42 on Jackie Robinson DaySelig called Rachel Robinson to ask her permission, and he came back with a better idea. Now everyone wears it pic.twitter.com/WkD5YpuGvZ

• P- Chuck Klein

  The Phillies did not adopt numbered jerseys until 1932, with Klein’s career already underway. And in his 11 years with jersey numbers, he wore 7 different numbers, including 1 (already retired for Ashburn), and 32 (Carlton). So instead of retiring a number Klein had no real connection to, they just went with the Old School P that the Phillies wore during his time with the team. Klein hit 300 HRs, 243 of which came with the Phillies. He also accomplished the elusive Triple Crown in 1933.

  Baseball History Through Stats and Pics on Twitter: "Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Chuck Klein. A 2X All Star, 1X Triple Crown ('33), 1X NL MVP ('32), he played 17 seasons (1928-44'). He hit .320/.379/.543, .922 OPS, 137 OPS+, 300 HR, 1201 RBI, 1168 Runs, 601 Walks, 398 Doubles, 2076 Hits, 46.7 WAR. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/PCCbyiXGOZ / Twitter"

  Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Chuck Klein. A 2X All Star, 1X Triple Crown ('33), 1X NL MVP ('32), he played 17 seasons (1928-44'). He hit .320/.379/.543, .922 OPS, 137 OPS+, 300 HR, 1201 RBI, 1168 Runs, 601 Walks, 398 Doubles, 2076 Hits, 46.7 WAR. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/PCCbyiXGOZ

• P- Grover Cleveland Alexander

  While Klein had too many numbers to pick one to retire, Alexander had no numbers. His entire career came before the Phillies ever wore Jersey numbers. So they had no option but to just put the P there for him. Alexander went into the 3rd ever Hall of Fame Class in 1939. Joining an elite group of players and managers including Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Cy Young, and Connie Mack.

  Baseball In Pics on Twitter: "A famous lineup from a different angle. The inagaural induction class for the Hall of Fame. June 12, 1939 Left to right, front: Eddie Collins, Babe Ruth, Connie Mack and Cy Young. Left to right, rear: Honus Wagner, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Tris Speaker, Napoleon LaJoie, George... pic.twitter.com/IV34WPDm6S / Twitter"

  A famous lineup from a different angle. The inagaural induction class for the Hall of Fame. June 12, 1939 Left to right, front: Eddie Collins, Babe Ruth, Connie Mack and Cy Young. Left to right, rear: Honus Wagner, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Tris Speaker, Napoleon LaJoie, George... pic.twitter.com/IV34WPDm6S

• 3 More That Should Be Retired Eventually

• #6- Ryan Howard

  For 5 years, Ryan Howard was as good as any Power Hitter in the league. It is unfortunate his career got a late start, and injuries forced it to end early. But from 2005-2011 he was a force to be reckoned with. His 382 HRs are 2nd in Phillies history, he won MVP and Rookie of the Year, holds the Phillies Single Season HR Record, and of course, helped them win their 2nd World Series. He absolutely deserves to be up on that Wall with these other 10 players.

• #11- Jimmy Rollins

  Jimmy Rollins should be in the Hall of Fame, but that is an argument for another day. What is even less up for debate is his place among the Phillies whose numbers have been retired. Rollins is in the exclusive 20-20-20-20 club, which is for guys who hit 20 Hrs, 20 Doubles, 20 Triples, with 20 steals. The list is him, Curtis Granderson, Will Mays, and Schulte. Even beyond that MVP season, his whole career here was great. Put the man in the Hall, and put him on the Wall alongside Schmidt, Carlton, and Roberts. No one should ever wear the number 11 again.

• #26- Chase Utley

  As Harry Kalas once said, “Chase Utley, you are the man.” 259 HRs, 233 of which came with the Phillies. He is the least accomplished of the Phillies trio of players from that era. but he is still more than deserving of having his number retired. The guy became a fan favorite just by quietly doing his job, and occasionally dropping a F-Bomb when he finally does say something. Like with Howard’s #6, and Rollins’s #11, no one should ever wear Utley’s #26 ever again.

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Author Colin Newby

Category:

• Phillies // MLB
• PA Local

Tags:

Gregory Soto,MLB,Philadelphia Phillies