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Phillies' New Starter Showcasing Potential Early in 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mike Ostrowski | Last updated Apr 5, 2025 6:00 AM ET

The hottest team in MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers, entered South Philadelphia Friday night, but their bats were suddenly nowhere to be found.

The culprit? New Phillies arm Jesús Luzardo, who the team acquired from the Miami Marlins this past offseason. Luzardo blew through Dodger blue with seven shutout innings, striking out eight while allowing only four baserunners.

Luzardo's performance was a follow-up of his first start, where he struck out 11 against the Washington Nationals. So far, he's been exactly what Philly wanted - another dependable starting pitcher to round out an impressive rotation. But Luzardo could turn into so much more with his new club.

Two years ago, Luzardo was just outside MLB's Top 10 with 208 strikeouts - four less than Phillies ace Zack Wheeler. His fastball velocity is back to where it was before an injury-riddled 2024, and his chase rate seems to follow suit.

It's still very early in the season, of course, but shutting down the 8-0 Dodgers as skillfully as Jesús did is cause for appreciation. And if he keeps it up, his current No. 2 spot in the rotation could be secure straight into the Postseason - and beyond.

The Luzardo trade wouldn't be the first time Philly has fleeced Miami. In 2019, to coincide with signing Bryce Harper to his 13-year megadeal, the Phils traded a package to the Marlins for catcher J.T. Realmuto.

While Realmuto won two Gold Gloves and became the most consistent backstop in baseball, the prospects sent down to Florida never panned out. The two that Philadelphia offered this time may not turn out any different.

As it were, Luzardo had the fellow Miami castoff to thank for his strong performance on Friday:

"Probably one of the most well-executed starts I've had in my career," Jesus Luzardo said. "Making the pitches when I needed, moving the ball around. I didn't shake once, basically trusting J.T."
— Corey Seidman (@CSeidmanNBCS) April 5, 2025

Luzardo is under contract through next season, so he has time on his side to keep impressing fans and team ownership. There are several pitching prospects on the way - such as Andrew Painter, Seth Johnson, and Mick Abel - who could challenge for future rotation spots, but if this is the Jesús the Fightins are getting, his stay in town ought to be just as long-lived as J.T.'s.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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