The Philadelphia Phillies swung one of the best deals at this year’s trade deadline. The team acquired hard-throwing closer Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins for prospects Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait.
Duran provided the Phillies with something they hadn’t had for quite some time, a shutdown closer. Through his first seven appearances with the Phillies, Duran was a perfect 6-for-6 in save opportunities with five strikeouts and just two hits allowed.
The triple-digit machine had Phillies fans believing they had the next Mariano Rivera, but Duran’s recent appearances haven’t been quite as successful.
Jhoan Duran not as perfect as Phillies fans thought
The Phillies organization and the fans collectively held their breath after Duran got hit in the foot by a comebacker on Aug. 15 against the Washington Nationals. The right-hander was unable to put much pressure on his foot and exited the game in the bullpen cart.
Although X-rays were negative and Duran said he felt 100 percent the next day, he hasn’t looked the same in his recent appearances. He’s still reaching over triple digits, but opposing hitters are having significantly more success off him.
Duran recorded two saves following his injury scare against the Nationals, but his previous three appearances have been alarming. He’s appeared in three games, pitching two-plus innings, and blew the first save of his Phillies career on Aug. 22 against the Nationals.
Jhoan Duran was hit by a ball in the foot on August 15.
In the 5 games Duran has pitched since:
3.2 IP, 8 hits, 2 ER, 6 K, 0 BB, 4.91 ERA — 3 of 4 save opportunities#Phillies
https://twitter.com/JeffKerrCBS/status/1960677572720644364?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
In his last three games, Duran is 0-2 with eight hits allowed, three runs (two earned), and is 1-for-2 in save situations. He’s allowed more hits than strikeouts (four) and allowed a walkoff single after allowing the bases loaded with no outs in the bottom of the ninth inning against the New York Mets on Aug. 26.
Not only are opposing hitters having more success against Duran, but they’re also generating harder contact. In this recent stretch, he’s been hit harder at a 96.7 mph average exit velocity compared to his season mark of 89.3 mph.
Duran could be perfectly healthy and just experiencing the natural fatigue of the 162-game season as the calendar is set to flip to September. There’s also the possibility of an underlying injury that he and/or the Phillies are hiding. Similarly, Aaron Nola dealt with an ankle injury earlier in the season that he pitched through before ultimately landing on the IL for an extended period.
Nonetheless, Duran is having an incredible season, owning a 2.35 ERA with nine strikeouts and is 7-for-8 in save opportunities since joining the Phillies. The 27-year-old will look to bounce back after a rough appearance against the Mets and get back to where he was a few weeks ago.
