The Philadelphia Phillies made a move during the offseason before the 2025 MLB season that was somewhat overlooked at the time. They traded top prospects Emaarion Body and Starlyn Caba to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Paul McIntosh and starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo.
Luzardo has quickly become a standout for the Phillies, performing at an elite level and establishing himself as one of the top pitchers in baseball. The Phillies, known for their strong pitching staff, recently had one of the franchise’s all-time greats weigh in on Luzardo’s impact.
Cole Hamels, a Phillies legend, appeared on Sports Radio 94 WIP’s Midday show and shared his thoughts on Luzardo’s rise as a top-tier starting pitcher.
“You have to really give credit to the front office for being able to follow him, his whole career, and just waiting to pounce… He was waiting to break out.”
Before joining the Phillies, Luzardo had stints with two teams— the Athletics and the Marlins— both of which were not regularly in the playoff hunt.
Hamels continued to commend the Phillies’ front office for acquiring Luzardo, noting that playing on teams without consistent postseason contention can sometimes have a positive impact on a player’s development. He explained how those circumstances can shape a pitcher, allowing them to hone their craft without the added pressure of constant playoff races.
“It was tough in Miami, there wasn’t the expectation that they were going to win, so to get to a bigger market big city that has all those expectations… He’s now excelling, and you’re seeing the type of player that he has probably has always been… and now he’s lights out, and it’s really great to watch.”
Joining the Phillies, a team with World Series aspirations, was the perfect opportunity for Luzardo. After spending six years with teams near the bottom of the standings, Luzardo is now on a squad that’s actively chasing a championship.
Hamels continued to commend the front office, not only for making the move to acquire Luzardo but also for their patience in tracking him, waiting for the right moment to make a deal. Luzardo has certainly lived up to expectations, and then some.
In his first eight starts for the Phillies in 2025, Luzardo has posted an impressive 2.11 ERA and leads the National League with a 2.1 WAR as a pitcher. He’s thrown 47 innings, with a 1.213 WHIP, walking 13 batters and striking out 51.
His performance to start the season has been nothing short of exceptional, making him one of the top pitchers in all of baseball. Luzardo currently ranks 11th in ERA and 25th in strikeouts across the league.
Hamels’ praise for the front office’s decision to trade for Luzardo is well-deserved. Luzardo’s remarkable performance has been a key factor in the Phillies’ strong start to the 2025 season.
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