The Los Angeles Dodgers claimed Evan Phillips off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays near the end of the 2021 season, but not much could have been expected from the journeyman reliever.
He joined the Dodgers with a career 7.26 ERA and 1.79 WHIP in 49 games over parts of four seasons in the Majors. The right-hander ended up appearing in seven games for L.A. to finish out that season and flashed some upside, throwing 10.1 innings with a 3.48 ERA.
Heading into the 2022 season, Phillips was out of options, which means he had to make the Dodgers Opening Day roster or be designated for assignment. The 28-year-old did earn a spot on the club as a middle reliever, but his importance to the team increased every month.
Phillips far exceeded early expectations, and by the middle of May, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts credited the right-hander for developing into a high-leverage option. “I think that Evan has done a really, really nice job,” the skipper said.
With injuries to Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson, Tommy Kahnle and Brusdar Graterol, along with struggles from Phil Bickford and Craig Kimbrel, Phillips became the most important and most reliable piece in the Dodgers bullpen.
Over 36 innings in the first half of the season, Phillips held a 1.50 ERA and 0.78 WHIP. Despite being one of the best relievers in baseball, he was snubbed from an All-Star Game selection. However, Roberts’ trust continued to grow in Phillips.
“He’s a dude,” Roberts said of Phillips in early July. “Evan’s a dude now. He’s got a good story. And so we’re lucky to have him. I don’t know where we’d be without him. I just love his heartbeat. He’s got a great head and he’s got good stuff. So I feel comfortable putting Evan in any spot versus any hitter.”
Phillips’ teammates also took notice of his success, which earned him the nickname “High Leverage Honey Bun,” which is a play on the Honey Bun nickname he had in college. Alex Vesia also had shirts designed and brought into the clubhouse for the rest of the team to wear.
During the second half of the season, Phillips stepped up his production even more, throwing 27 innings with a 0.67 ERA and 0.74 WHIP. Phillips finished his remarkable season throwing 63 innings with a 1.14 ERA, 1.94 FIP, 0.76 WHIP, .153 batting average against, 33% strikeout rate, 6.4% walk rate and 2.2 WAR.
Phillips entered the postseason for the second time in his career locked into a late-inning and high-leverage role, and his success continued on the biggest stage.
He made three appearances out of the bullpen, throwing 3.1 innings and giving up no runs on one hit with six strikeouts and one walk. Unfortunately, the Dodgers’ magical season came to an end after Game 4 of the National League Division Series, thus putting an end to an unforgettable season for Phillips.
Evan Phillips 2022 highlight
Phillips was a highlight nearly every time he took the mound in 2022, but on July 5 against the Colorado Rockies, he struck out three hitters in 1.1 innings while allowing no runs to earn his 10th hold of the season.
Phillips’ highest win probability added of 0.314 came against the Chicago Cubs during an extra innings game on July 8 when he pitched a perfect 10th inning with the ghost runner on second to earn the win.
2023 outlook
Going into 2023, expectations are obviously much higher for Phillips, and rather than looking to earn a spot on the roster, he is looking to continue his success as the team’s best reliever.
Phillips was ranked by MLB Network’s The Shredder as the fourth-best reliever in baseball for 2023, but it’s hard to know exactly what any relief pitcher will provide as one of the most volatile positions in all of sports.
Still, Phillips is confident in himself and he has elite stuff, which is a great combination. Expect him to continue performing at a high level, even if there is some regression.
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