Phillies Closer Jhoan Duran Debuts Long-Lost Split-Changeup Pitch
Philadelphia Phillies closer Jhoan Duran generated significant buzz during his latest spring training appearance by incorporating a pitch that had not been part of his arsenal for years. The hard-throwing reliever introduced a split-changeup during the Phillies' 5-3 exhibition loss to Team Canada at BayCare Ballpark, immediately capturing attention due to his established reputation for a triple-digit fastball and unique splinker pitch.
Mysterious Pitch Freezes Batter for Strikeout
One of the most dramatic moments occurred when Duran deployed the split-changeup against Tyler O'Neill. The pitch completely froze O'Neill, resulting in a called third strike that ended the fourth inning. This marked the first documented use of the split-changeup by Duran in game action in at least five years, adding an element of surprise to his already formidable pitching repertoire.
Duran Refuses to Reveal Details About Secret Weapon
Following the game, Duran maintained an air of mystery around his new-old pitch. When questioned about whether he planned to utilize the split-changeup during the regular season, the Phillies closer offered a brief, non-committal response: "I don't know if I'll throw it." Reporters pressed further about how the pitch might advantage him against hitters, but Duran declined to elaborate, stating clearly, "I can't tell you. Sorry." When directly asked if the pitch was intended to remain secret, Duran confirmed without hesitation: "Yes."
Velocity Slightly Down But No Cause for Concern
During this spring training outing, Duran's velocity measurements showed a modest decrease compared to his regular season averages. His four-seam fastball averaged 97.7 mph, approximately 2.9 mph lower than his 100.6 mph average from the previous season. Similarly, his splinker averaged 95 mph, about 2.8 mph below last year's 97.8 mph average. Despite these numbers, the Phillies coaching staff expressed no alarm about Duran's performance.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson stated "No concerns" after Duran completed one scoreless inning with a strikeout. Duran himself explained that his spring training approach prioritizes health maintenance over achieving peak velocity immediately. "Maybe in my first year in the Minor Leagues, I was fighting for a job, I came in ready for the season," he recalled. "That's when I threw 100, 101. 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."
Intrigue Builds for Phillies' Season Ahead
Although Duran's appearance lasted only one inning, it generated substantial interest as the regular season approaches. With his powerful fastball, unique pitch combinations, and now this mysterious split-changeup, the Phillies closer continues to establish himself as one of the most fascinating relievers to monitor throughout spring training and beyond. His ability to keep hitters guessing with unexpected pitches adds another dimension to Philadelphia's bullpen strategy for the upcoming campaign.
