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Phillies manager Rob Thomson has raved this spring about the talent he sees in the team’s bullpen.
He said it’s probably the best group he’s had since he became manager in 2022.
Six of the eight bullpen jobs are set with closer Jhoan Duran, right-handers Brad Keller, Orion Kerkering and Jonathan Bowlan and left-handers José Alvarado and Tanner Banks. Thomson said it would be nice to have a third lefty in the bullpen, although it is not a requirement. Even before Thomson mentioned the potential bonus of a third left-hander in the pen, lefty Kyle Backhus already entered camp as one of the more intriguing candidates to win a job.
“He’s been really impressive,” Thomson said following Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh at BayCare Ballpark. “All his bullpens, all the BPs he’s thrown and then obviously in the game today.”
The Phillies acquired Backhus in a trade with the D-backs on Dec. 19, the same day they shipped Matt Strahm to the Royals for Bowlan. The Phils liked Backhus because he gives hitters a look that no Philadelphia pitcher has given hitters in recent memory.
Backhus has one of the lowest arm angles (9 degrees) of any pitcher in the Majors.
The only lefties who threw from a lower angle in 2025 are the Yankees’ Tim Hill (-24 degrees), the Rangers’ Hoby Milner (-6 degrees) and Atlanta’s Chris Sale (8 degrees). Conversely, Alvarado has the third-highest arm angle of any lefty in the Majors (59 degrees), while Banks (48 degrees) also has a relatively high release point.
Backhus also has one of the longest extensions of any pitcher in MLB, releasing the ball 7.2 feet from the rubber.
It makes his 91 mph fastball look faster than it is.
Except Backhus’ fastball is looking even faster than that this spring. It averaged 91.9 on Sunday, up 0.9 mph from last year. Backhus struck out Pirates third baseman Jesus Castillo on a 94.3 mph sinker in a scoreless third inning. He threw another sinker at 93.1 mph.
Backhus threw 430 pitches last season with the Diamondbacks. Only 16 were 93 mph or harder.
His fastest pitch was 93.9 mph.
“I don’t think it’s any magic,” Backhus said. “I gained 10 to 15 pounds in the offseason.”
He entered camp at 205 pounds. He was around 192 pounds last year.
“My main thought was to hold velo throughout the season, even if it’s 90-91 [mph],” Backhus said. “Because at the back end of the season the velo is going to drop.”
Backhus, 28, didn’t throw hard coming out of Sam Houston State. He wasn’t drafted, signing a Minor League contract with Arizona as a free agent in 2021. He threw from about a three-quarter arm slot. He was OK.
But his pitching coach Barry Enright suggested a lower arm angle when he became a full-time reliever in 2022.
“I knew with my velo that I needed to do something different to get through the ranks,” Backhus said. “When I dropped down, it was just night and day with what I was able to do. I was able to add a sweeper to it. The sinker got bigger. The extension just grew as I lowered my slot. It just always felt comfortable. It felt natural.”
Dylan Moore is in camp as a candidate to win the Phillies’ final bench job. He faced Backhus a couple times last year. He laughed when he heard Backhus describe how his sidearm delivery looks to hitters.
Moore explained why.
“When a guy is throwing from a lower arm slot, you always feel like it’s going to be softer, but it gets on you quick,” he said. “I think there’s an extension factor and a velo factor that you just don’t normally see.”
Backhus’ conversation with Enright changed his life. He rose through the ranks, which he wouldn’t have done if he hadn’t changed. He made his MLB debut on June 8. He pitched a scoreless inning against the Reds.
Backhus had a 4.62 ERA in 32 appearances last year. He enjoyed his rookie season, but he wanted to get better. It’s why he added muscle. It’s why he is working on a changeup to complement his sinker and sweeper.
If those things come together, Backhus could be in Philly on Opening Day.
Sunday was a nice start.