The Phillies have made a surprising move by signing right-hander Zach Pop to a major league deal, despite his inconsistent performance in the 2025 season. Pop, who began the year with the Blue Jays but was released shortly after Opening Day, struggled in his brief appearances with the Mariners and Mets, allowing 12 runs in just 6.3 innings. This performance pushed his career ERA to 4.88 over 162.3 innings across five seasons. However, Pop's underlying numbers are more encouraging. He struck out over a quarter of his opponents while walking only 8.9% of them, and his sinker sits in the 96-97 MPH range. Pop's ability to keep the ball down is a strength, as evidenced by his career 55% ground ball percentage in the big leagues. The Phillies are giving Pop a chance to compete for a middle relief job in Spring Training, but he faces stiff competition from established bullpen members like Jhoan Duran, Brad Keller, José Alvarado, Tanner Banks, and Jonathan Bowlan. The team's Rule 5 pick, Zach McCambley, will also need to stick in the big leagues or be taken off the 40-man roster. This move raises questions about Pop's long-term role in the Phillies' bullpen and the team's strategy for the upcoming season.
