Entering the 2025 season, starting pitching is viewed as the main strength of this Philadelphia Phillies squad. Their rotation is about as good as any other club around Major League Baseball with a solid one-through-five if all pitchers remain healthy.
Tuesday was the first spring training game in which a pitcher who is already etched into the rotation took the hill. Despite having to wait a day after Monday’s rainout against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cristopher Sánchez looked dialed in to begin his spring campaign.
After a breakout performance in 2024, Sánchez didn’t miss a beat in his start on Tuesday afternoon in Port Charlotte, FL against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The left-hander pitched two scoreless innings while allowing one hit and striking out three opposing hitters. According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Sánchez’s fastball velocity was impressive, hitting 97-98 mph on the stadium’s radar gun.
Sanchie lookin’ sharp 😪 pic.twitter.com/52kuRqFWaY
https://twitter.com/Phillies/status/1894452106901225755
It’s just one spring training start, but this bodes well for the Phillies and their starting rotation. If the 28-year-old can replicate his performance from last season, he will be one of the top pitchers in the National League East.
In 2024, Sánchez more than doubled his previous innings pitched from the prior campaign. He did this while being one of the club’s most consistent starters. In 31 games started, the lefty pitched to a 3.32 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, and turned out two complete games — one being a shutout.
Sánchez will still have a few more starts this spring before Opening Day, but it is conceivable to believe that he could be the pitcher called on to start the second game of the season to break up right-handers Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola.
With the increased velocity on his fastball from the 2023 season to last year and his dominating changeup, the Phillies’ left-hander should continue to be a mainstay in the rotation. On a team friendly four-year, $22.5 million contract signed last June, he will be a vital part of the starting staff for the foreseeable future.
It will be interesting to see how Sánchez continues to throw in his upcoming spring starts. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it would not be surprising to see more quality outings.
