The Philadelphia Phillies are aiming to deepen their bullpen strength following the trade of Matt Strahm to the Kansas City Royals earlier this year. By making this move and adjusting their relief roster, the Phillies intend to build a more effective bullpen that can help them break through recent postseason disappointments.
In the offseason, the Phillies revamped their bullpen by signing Brad Keller to a two-year, $22 million contract and trading Strahm away to create roster flexibility. Among the fresh faces stepping into prominent roles is Kyle Backhus, a left-handed pitcher with a distinctive delivery that is gaining attention as a valuable asset in Philadelphia’s relief lineup.
Emerging Talent with a Unique Pitching Style
Kyle Backhus stands out due to his rare arm angle, recorded as the fourth-lowest in Major League Baseball last season at just nine degrees, according to Todd Zelecki of MLB.com. This delivery contrasts sharply with fellow left-handers Jose Alvarado and Tanner Banks, who use much higher arm angles of 59 degrees and more. Backhus adds a different look to the bullpen, offering a change-of-pace that provides the Phillies with tactical diversity and makes it harder for hitters to adjust.
Strong Bullpen Foundations for the 2026 Season
The Phillies’ bullpen is expected to be a dependable unit heading into 2026. Jhoan Duran appears locked in as the closer, especially when he hits triple-digit velocity. Alongside him, Keller, Alvarado, Banks, Orion Kerkering, Jonathan Bowlan—who was acquired in the trade involving Strahm—and Backhus are projected to be key contributors out of the bullpen.
There is optimism surrounding Orion Kerkering, who looks poised for a comeback after the difficult ending he had in the 2025 season. His recovery could provide the Phillies with an even stronger bullpen mix as they pursue greater postseason success.
The Matt Strahm bullpen trade thus not only reshaped Philadelphia’s relief staff but also created an opportunity for Backhus to emerge as a unique and valuable component. With this blend of pitching styles and newfound depth, the Phillies are positioning themselves to improve their late-game pitching and overcome previous playoff hurdles.
