Phillies closer Jhoan Duran sets record in second team appearance
The Philadelphia Phillies made a bold move at the trade deadline by acquiring flamethrowing closer Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins. In just two appearances with the Phillies, Duran wasted no time making his mark in Citizens Bank Park history. During a game against the Detroit Tigers, Duran unleashed a blazing 103.3 mph fastball, setting a new record for the fastest pitch ever thrown in the ballpark.
Although the record-setting pitch was fouled off, Duran didn’t let up. He followed it up with a 102.5 mph heater to strike out Tigers’ All-Star Riley Greene, setting another record for the Phillies’ fastest game-ending strikeout since 2008. Duran didn’t stop there, throwing a 102.7 mph fastball in the same at-bat against Greene.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson nonchalantly commented on Duran’s record-setting pitch, stating, “That’s pretty good.” The acquisition of Duran came at the cost of two top prospects, Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait, but the Phillies are confident in the impact he will have on their bullpen.
Known as one of the best closers in baseball, Duran boasts a 1.93 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings this season. His electric presence extends beyond his pitching abilities, as fans in Minnesota would light up their phone flashlights and welcome him onto the field with an elaborate entrance routine set to music.
The Phillies quickly adopted Duran’s entrance routine, much to the delight of fans. The Dominican Republic native has consistently performed well in the majors since his debut in 2022, with sub-3.00 ERAs in three of his four MLB seasons. While Duran’s 103.3 mph fastball is impressive, it falls short of the fastest pitch thrown in the big leagues this year, a 104.1 mph fastball by the Padres’ Mason Miller during his time with the Athletics.
Overall, Duran’s addition to the Phillies’ bullpen has already proven to be a game-changer, setting new records and exciting fans with his impressive pitching prowess.
