Baseball is a sport that is full of surprises, and one of the most unexpected occurrences in a game is when a position player is called upon to pitch. This happened recently in an MLB game when Brett Phillips, who is typically an outfielder, was asked to pitch due to an injury to Luis Patino.
Phillips had little to no experience as a pitcher, but he stepped up to the challenge and gave it his all for the final two innings of the game.
In this blog post, we will explore why Brett Phillips was pitching in the game, how he performed on the mound, and why teams sometimes use position players as pitchers.
Contextualizing the Situation
The game in question was between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles, which took place on April 7th, 2022. The game was tied at 12-12 going into the ninth inning, but the Rays were able to score four runs, giving them a 16-12 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.
At the start of the ninth inning, the Rays brought in Luis Patino to pitch. However, after facing just one batter, Patino was hit on the back of the leg by a comebacker, which forced him to leave the game due to injury. This left the Rays in a difficult situation, as they had already used all of their other available pitchers.
With no other options, the Rays turned to Brett Phillips, who had never pitched in an MLB game before. Phillips had played in 206 MLB games as an outfielder, but he had no prior experience as a pitcher at the professional level.
Despite this, he was willing to take on the challenge and try his best to help the team win the game.
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 30th, 1994, in California, and he was drafted by the Houston Astros in the sixth round of the 2012 MLB draft.
Phillips made his MLB debut in 2017 with the Milwaukee Brewers 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. In his career, he has played in 206 MLB games and has a batting average of .210 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI.
It is unusual for an outfielder to pitch in an MLB game because it’s not typically part of their job description. Pitching is a highly specialized skill that requires years of training and practice.
While some position players may have played as pitchers in high school or college, it is rare for them to be called upon to pitch in a professional baseball game.
In terms of prior experience as a pitcher, there is no record of Phillips having pitched in a professional game before the April 7th game against the Orioles. However, he did pitch a little bit in high school and was known for having a strong arm.
Phillips’ Performance on the Mound
Despite having no prior experience as a pitcher at the professional level, Brett Phillips put on an impressive performance in the game against the Orioles.
He pitched the final two innings of the game, allowing only one hit, one walk, and no runs while striking out two batters. He threw 24 pitches, 16 of which were strikes, and he was able to maintain his composure throughout the outing.
One noteworthy moment in Phillips’ performance came in the bottom of the ninth inning when he struck out Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini. After the strikeout, Phillips pumped his fist and let out a yell, showing his excitement and enthusiasm for the opportunity to pitch in the game.
In terms of analyzing Phillips’ performance, it’s important to consider the context of the game and the situation. The game was tied at 12-12 going into the ninth inning, and the Rays were able to score four runs to take a 16-12 lead.
However, with their regular pitchers unavailable, the Rays had to turn to a position player to close out the game. Phillips was able to do just that, recording the final six outs and securing the win for the Rays.
While it’s unlikely that Phillips will become a regular pitcher for the Rays, his performance in this game shows that he is a versatile player who is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win.
Why Do Teams Use Position Players as Pitchers?
Teams sometimes use position players as pitchers in games for a variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons is due to an injury or a depleted bullpen. If a team has already used all of their available pitchers, they may turn to a position player as a last resort to finish out the game.
Another reason is to save their regular pitchers for future games. If a team is losing by a significant margin, they may decide to use a position player as a pitcher to avoid using up their regular pitchers and save them for games that are more competitive.
Using a position player as a pitcher has both pros and cons. One of the main advantages is that it can be a way to save the bullpen and give regular pitchers a break.
Additionally, it can be a way to inject some excitement and unpredictability into a game, as fans are often fascinated by seeing a position player pitch.
However, there are also risks involved in using a position player as a pitcher. Position players are typically not trained or prepared to pitch, 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 the game.
Some examples of other position players who have pitched in MLB games include:
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 designated hitter and then later pitch in the same game.
Pablo Sandoval
Sandoval is a third baseman who has played for several teams, including the San Francisco Giants and the Boston Red Sox. In a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018, Sandoval was used as a pitcher in the ninth inning, and he was able to retire all three batters he faced.
Todd Zeile
Zeile was a utility player who played for several teams during his career, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets.
In a game against the Colorado Rockies in 2002, Zeile was used as a pitcher in the ninth inning, and he was able to retire two batters before allowing a home run to Todd Helton.
Position Players Who Pitched in MLB Games in 2021
| Player Name | Team | Games Pitched | Innings Pitched | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 shows a list of position players who pitched in MLB games during the 2021 season. It includes their names, teams, number of games pitched, innings pitched, earned run average (ERA), and strikeouts.
While it’s not common for position players to pitch, some players, like Shohei Ohtani, are known for their dual pitching and hitting abilities, while others are only used as pitchers in emergency situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Brett Phillips’ pitching performance a rare occurrence in MLB history?
No, it’s not extremely rare for position players to pitch in MLB games. While it doesn’t happen often, it does occur occasionally, especially in games where a team’s bullpen is depleted.
Did Brett Phillips have any prior experience pitching before his performance in the Orioles game?
According to Phillips, he hadn’t pitched since high school, so he had no prior experience pitching at the professional level.
What was the most memorable moment of Brett Phillips’ pitching performance?
The most memorable moment was when Phillips struck out Orioles player Austin Hays with a 51-mph pitch, causing Hays to swing and miss and fall down in the batter’s box.
Did Brett Phillips’ pitching performance have any impact on the rest of the season?
While Phillips’ pitching performance was certainly impressive, it likely didn’t have a major impact on the rest of the season. The Rays ended up making the playoffs but were eliminated in the American League Division Series.
To Recap
The use of position players as pitchers in MLB games is not a common occurrence, but it does happen from time to time. In the case of Brett Phillips, he was called upon to pitch in a game against the Orioles due to an injury and a depleted bullpen.
Despite having no prior experience as a pitcher, Phillips put on an impressive performance, securing the win for the Rays.
While using a position player as a pitcher has its pros and cons, it can be a way to inject some excitement into a game and give regular pitchers a break.
Overall, Phillips’ performance on the mound was a testament to his versatility and willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team win.
