PHILADELPHIA — Before the Houston bullpen dominated in the 2022 World Series, Phillies executive Dave Dombrowski had already recognized the importance of velocity. The first player he acquired upon taking control of the Phillies was José Alvarado, who brought the kind of velocity that Dombrowski believed was worth pursuing. But velocity alone wasn’t enough, it had to be more than just a strategy for acquiring players. However, in the previous World Series, it became clear that velocity was a differentiating factor. The Astros bullpen consistently threw fastballs at an average of 96 mph, demonstrating their command and impressive breaking balls.
Nick Castellanos, a player for the Cincinnati Reds, acknowledged the Phillies bullpen as having “great stuff” and attributed it to Dombrowski’s strategic thinking. Dombrowski has long prioritized acquiring pitchers with high velocity and this philosophy has been consistent, regardless of the World Series results. In the 2023 season, the Phillies bullpen recorded the highest average fastball velocity in the league, throwing at an average of 96.3 mph. This stands in stark contrast to the Diamondbacks bullpen, which ranked 19th in regular-season fastball velocity at 93.7 mph.
The Phillies believe that their emphasis on velocity is not a secret, but the key lies in optimizing the pitch usage and strike-throwing ability of their pitchers while keeping them healthy. The organization has invested in biomechanics, athletic training staff, strength and conditioning programs, and coaching to maximize their pitchers’ potential. Despite dealing with injuries to some of their pitchers, they have managed to consistently harness high velocity throughout the playoffs.
Dombrowski explained that the definition of elite velocity has changed over time, with 97 mph now being considered the benchmark. The challenge for the Diamondbacks in the National League Championship Series will be their ability to handle the Phillies’ hard-throwing bullpen, especially considering their struggles against 97-plus mph fastballs during the regular season.
Managing the usage of their bullpen has been a priority for the Phillies, as they had the fewest bullpen innings during the regular season. They structured their pitching staff to go deep into October, with starters capable of shouldering larger workloads. Their goal is to avoid running out of energy and reach the World Series. The dominance of the Astros bullpen in 2022 may not have directly influenced the Phillies’ approach in 2023, but it served as a reminder of the power of a hard-throwing bullpen when it comes to the postseason success.