Baseball is a sport full of surprises, and one of the most unexpected events in a game is when a position player is called upon to pitch. This happened in a recent MLB game when Brett Phillips, who is normally an outfielder, was called to pitch due to an injury to Luis Patino.
Phillips had little to no experience as a pitcher, but he rose to the challenge and did his best in the final two innings of the game.
In this blog post, we’ll look at why Brett Phillips threw the game, how he performed on the mound, and why teams sometimes use position players as pitchers.
Contextualization of the situation
The game in question took place on April 7, 2022 between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles. The game was tied 12-12 heading into the ninth inning, but the Rays were able to score four runs, giving them a 16-12 lead before the end of the ninth quarter.
To start the ninth inning, the Rays called on Luis Patino to pitch. However, after facing just one batter, Patino was hit in the back leg by a comebacker, forcing him to leave the game due to injury. This put the Rays in a difficult situation because they had already used up every other pitcher available.
With no other choice, the Rays turned to Brett Phillips, who had never played in an MLB game before. Phillips had appeared in 206 MLB games as an outfielder, but had no experience pitching at the professional level.
Nevertheless, he was ready to take on the challenge and give his best to help the team win.
Who is Brett Phillips?
Brett Phillips is a 27-year-old outfielder who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Rays. He was born on May 30, 1994, in California and was drafted by the Houston Astros in the sixth round of the 2012 MLB Draft.
Phillips made his MLB debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017 and has since played for the Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Rays.
He is known for his excellent defensive skills and his ability to make spectacular plays in the outfield. During his career, he has appeared in 206 MLB games and has a .210 batting average with 14 home runs and 45 RBIs.
It is unusual for an outfielder to play in an MLB game because it is not normally part of their job description. Pitching is a highly specialized skill that requires years of training and practice.
Although some position players played as pitchers in high school or college, it is rare for them to be used as pitchers for a professional baseball game.
As for previous pitching experience, there is no record of Phillips having pitched in a professional game prior to the April 7 game against the Orioles. However, he was a bit of a pitcher in high school and was known for his strong arm.
Phillips appearance on the mound
Despite having no experience pitching at the professional level, Brett Phillips had an impressive performance in the game against the Orioles.
He struck out the pitcher in the final two innings of the game, allowing just one hit, one walk and no runs while striking out two batters. He threw 24 pitches, including 16 strikes, and managed to maintain his composure throughout the game.
A notable moment in Phillips’ performance occurred in the bottom of the ninth inning when he retired Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini. After the takedown, Phillips clenched his fist and let out a scream, expressing excitement and enthusiasm to interfere in the match.
When analyzing Phillips’ performance, it is important to consider the context of the game and the situation. The game was tied 12-12 heading into the ninth inning and the Rays scored four runs to take a 16-12 lead.
However, with their regular pitchers unavailable, the Rays had to resort to a position player to finish the game. Phillips did just that, recording the final six outs and securing the victory for the Rays.
Although Phillips is unlikely to become a regular pitcher for the Rays, his performance in this game shows that he is a versatile player willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win.
Why do teams use position players as pitchers?
For various reasons, teams sometimes use position players as pitchers in games. One of the most common reasons is an injury or a depleted bullpen. If a team has already used all available pitchers, they may turn to a position player as a last resort to end the game.
Another reason is to keep their regular pitchers for future games. If a team loses significantly, they may choose to use a position player as a pitcher to avoid using their regular pitchers and save them for more competitive games.
Using a position player as a pitcher has both advantages and disadvantages. One of the main benefits is that it can be a way to save the bullpen and give regular pitchers a break.
Additionally, it can be a way to add some excitement and unpredictability to a game, as fans are often fascinated by a position player’s pitch.
However, using a position player as a pitcher also comes with risks. Position players are generally not trained or prepared for throwing, which can increase the risk of injury.
Additionally, they may not be as effective as regular pitchers, which can negatively impact the team’s chances of winning.
Here are some examples of other position players who have pitched in MLB games:
Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani is a two-way player for the Los Angeles Angels who regularly pitches and plays as a designated hitter.
However, in a game against the Boston Red Sox in 2021, Ohtani was used as a pinch hitter and later as a pitcher, becoming the first player in MLB history to start a game as a pinch hitter. designated and later to throw in the same game.
Pablo Sandoval
Sandoval is a third baseman who has played for several teams, including the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox. In a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018, Sandoval was inserted as a pitcher in the ninth inning and successfully retired all three batters he faced.
Todd Row
Zeile was a utility player who played for several teams throughout his career, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.
In a game against the Colorado Rockies in 2002, Zeile was inserted as a pitcher in the ninth inning and struck out two batters before allowing a home run to Todd Helton.
Position players who participated in MLB games in 2021
| Player Name | team | Games launched | Innings thrown | ERA | Crossed out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brett Phillips | Tampa Bay Rays | 1 | 2.0 | 0.00 | 2 |
| Shohei Ohtani | Los Angeles Angels | 23 | 130.1 | 3.18 | 156 |
| Tyler Stephenson | Cincinnati Reds | 1 | 1.0 | 0.00 | 0 |
| Hernán Pérez | Washington Nationals | 1 | 1.0 | 0.00 | 1 |
| Willians Astudillo | Minnesota Twins | 3 | 3.0 | 0.00 | 0 |
Notes: This table presents a list of position players who appeared in MLB games during the 2021 season. It includes their names, teams, number of games pitched, innings pitched, earned run average (ERA) and strikeouts.
Although it is not common for position players to throw, some players, like Shohei Ohtani, are known for their dual throwing and hitting abilities, while others are only used as pitchers in pitching situations. emergency.
Frequently asked questions
Was Brett Phillips’ pitching performance a rare event in MLB history?
No, it is not extremely uncommon for position players to pitch in MLB games. Although it doesn’t happen often, it does happen occasionally, especially in games where a team’s bullpen is depleted.
Did Brett Phillips have any pitching experience before appearing in the Orioles game?
According to Phillips, he had not thrown since high school, so he had no experience throwing at the professional level.
What was the most memorable moment from Brett Phillips’ performance?
The most memorable moment was when Phillips hit the Orioles’ Austin Hays with a 51 mph pitch, causing Hays to swing, miss and fall into the batter’s box.
Did Brett Phillips’ performance impact the rest of the season?
While Phillips’ performance was certainly impressive, it probably didn’t have much of an impact on the rest of the season. The Rays eventually reached the playoffs but were eliminated in the American League Division Series.
Recap:
Using position players as pitchers in MLB games is not common, but it does happen from time to time. In the case of Brett Phillips, due to injury and a depleted bullpen, he was asked to play in a game against the Orioles.
Despite having no experience as a pitcher, Phillips put up an impressive performance and secured the victory for the Rays.
While there are pros and cons to using a position player as a pitcher, it can be a way to add some excitement to a game and give regular pitchers a break.
Overall, Phillips’ performance on the mound is a testament to his versatility and willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team win.
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