Phillies take on another pitching project in former Oriole Nick Vespi

Still, the Phillies must’ve felt they could improve Vespi — perhaps his below-average strikeout rate (20.9%). It’s something that could refine Vespi’s game, which likely made Philadelphia an attractive destination for the left-hander, as they’ve aided pitchers, such as Jeff Hoffman, and to a lesser extent, Andrew Bellatti, in reviving their MLB careers.

Hoffman inked a minor league pact with Philadelphia in 2023. He began the season in Triple-A and was eventually promoted to the majors on May 4. Since then, Hoffman’s tossed 118.2 innings to the tune of a 2.28 ERA for the Phils. 

He accrued -0.1 WAR in his first seven seasons, with a 5.68 ERA, 321 strikeouts and 175 walks in 348.1 innings. During his two years with the Phillies, the 31-year-old was worth 3.9 WAR, fanning 158 batters and walking just 35 in 118.2 innings. 

Additionally, Hoffman’s slider became his signature pitch, and he began mixing in a sinker, which enhanced his arsenal. His consistency and ability to tackle high-leverage situations during the regular season have made Hoffman one of the most coveted relievers this offseason.

Bellatti returned to baseball for the first time since his 2015 rookie year and had a 13.50 ERA in 3.1 innings for the Miami Marlins in 2021. That November, he signed a minor league deal with the Phillies. It was a gamble that eventually paid off for Philadelphia, as he became a major piece of their bullpen, with a 3.31 ERA in 59 appearances in 2022. 

He was also critical in the postseason, where he posted a 1.29 ERA in eight appearances en route to a National League pennant. He last appeared in an MLB game in September 2023, spending 2024 in the minors.

As Hoffman and Bellatti exemplify, the Phillies have effectively implemented strategies to "fix" pitchers, such as adding new pitches, modifying windups or altering a pitch’s movement. Vespi predominantly uses three pitches: a cutter, a slider and a curveball. If Philadelphia’s coaching staff can help Vespi identify his “put-away” pitch, he could be more effective at the major league level.

Vespi and the Phillies hope he can follow in the footsteps of Bellatti or Hoffman, emerge as a contributor in the bullpen in 2025 and become their next success story.