The Philadelphia Phillies have announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Zach Pop to a major league contract, bringing their 40-man roster count to 39. While salary details have yet to be disclosed, the decision to give Pop a big league deal is intriguing considering his tumultuous 2025 season.
Pop began the previous season with the Toronto Blue Jays but was released shortly after Opening Day. His time in the majors included brief appearances with the Seattle Mariners, where he recorded four outings, and a game with the New York Mets. In these appearances, he struggled significantly, allowing 12 runs (11 earned) over 6 2/3 innings, raising his career earned run average to 4.88 across five seasons and 162 1/3 innings pitched.
Despite his challenges at the major league level, Pop showed promise in the minors, making 20 appearances in 2025 with a 4.19 ERA over 19 1/3 innings. More encouragingly, he struck out over a quarter of opponents while maintaining a manageable walk rate of 8.9%. His ability to induce ground balls was notable, achieving a remarkable 75% ground-ball rate and consistently throwing his sinker in the 96-97 MPH range. Throughout his career, Pop has demonstrated a knack for keeping the ball down, boasting a ground-ball percentage of 55% in the big leagues.
The Phillies’ decision to sign Pop suggests they are intrigued by his potential and ability to contribute to their bullpen. If he remains on the roster through Spring Training, Pop will have the chance to compete for a middle relief position. However, he has already used up his minor league options, meaning he cannot be sent down without going through waivers.
As Philadelphia prepares for the upcoming season, their bullpen appears to be taking shape, with six spots likely accounted for if all players remain healthy through Spring Training. Key pitchers include Jhoan Duran, Brad Keller, José Alvarado, Tanner Banks, and the out-of-options Jonathan Bowlan, with Orion Kerkering also expected to secure a spot barring a disappointing Spring. The roles of Pop and Rule 5 pick Zach McCambley are particularly critical; both players must prove their worth at the major league level or risk being taken off the 40-man roster.
With the Phillies making strategic moves to bolster their pitching staff, fans have reason to be optimistic about the team’s potential performance in the upcoming season.