Is Phillies Closer Jhoan Duran Unveiling a Secret Weapon for the Upcoming Season?
Spring training often brings surprises, but this year, Phillies closer Jhoan Duran seems to be keeping a particularly intriguing one up his sleeve. Despite his initial reluctance to discuss it, it's confirmed: Duran has been experimenting with a pitch he hasn't unleashed in at least five years – the split-changeup.
During Wednesday's spring training game against Team Canada, a 5-3 loss, Duran was seen throwing this elusive pitch. In fact, he even used it to secure a called third strike against Tyler O'Neill, effectively ending the fourth inning. This comeback pitch has sparked a lot of curiosity, with Duran himself admitting it's a "secret pitch" and that he's "not sure if I'll throw it" during the regular season. When pressed on how this new addition might benefit opposing hitters, he playfully responded, "I can't tell you. Sorry."
So, what does this mean for the league? Essentially, it adds another layer of complexity for hitters already struggling to contend with Duran's 100 mph fastballs, his signature splinker, and his sharp curveball. It’s a strategic move that could keep batters guessing, adding an unpredictable element to his already formidable arsenal.
But here's where it gets interesting... While Duran's velocity in this initial outing was slightly down from his previous season – his four-seam fastball averaged 97.7 mph (a drop of 2.9 mph from last season's 100.6 mph) and his splinker averaged 95 mph (down 2.8 mph from 97.8 mph) – manager Rob Thomson remains unconcerned. He noted that Duran tossed a scoreless inning with a strikeout, and expressed "no concerns."
This velocity dip isn't entirely new for Duran. He experienced a similar pattern in his first spring appearance last year with the Twins, where his fastball was down 2.1 mph. Duran explained this by saying, "Maybe in my first year in the Minor Leagues, I was fighting for a job, I came in ready for the season... But after that, I come into Spring Training to be healthy and be ready for the season. If the velo is there, good. If it’s not, good. If I feel healthy, great. That’s what I want. I know the velo is coming in the season."
Duran also shared that he's feeling physically sound, with his elbow and shoulder feeling great. He mentioned a late start to his spring training due to being sick for three weeks during the offseason, and also being ill early in camp. This led him to take a more cautious approach: "I lost a couple days in my training, and I wanted to take time in my training... I don’t want to do my routine too quickly and have any injury or something. I want to take my time and be ready for the season."
And this is the part most people miss... While the split-changeup is a novel addition, it's Duran's overall health and readiness that truly matter. The fact that he's prioritizing his well-being over immediate peak velocity is a positive sign for the Phillies. His confident declaration, "But I’m good. I’m back," signals that he's on track to be a dominant force this season.
What do you think about Duran's potential new pitch? Is it a game-changer, or just a spring training experiment? Do you believe pitchers should reveal their new pitches, or is the secrecy part of the strategy? Let us know in the comments below!
