After spending the 2024 season with the Milwaukee Brewers as a solid swing-man, the Phillies gave Joe Ross a one-year deal for what seemed like a similar role. Over the course of seven seasons with the Washington Nationals and the aforementioned Brewers, Ross has made 86 starts while coming out of the bullpen 37 times.
But when Taijuan Walker started throwing two-ticks harder in spring training, it became clear that Ross was too redundant. They then tried to make him a conventional middle-reliever
but he lacked the swing-and-miss stuff required. In addition, he struggled with pitching back-to-back days.
The roster fit and player never made sense and Joe Ross’s performance didn’t make the issue any better.
2025 Stats
37 games, 51.0 innings, 5.12 ERA, 4.88 FIP, 17.1% K%, 7.9% BB%, -0.1 fWAR
What went right
Joe Ross might’ve been cut on August 26, might’ve had an ERA above five, and might’ve been below replacement level but he finished half a win better than Nick Castellanos.
In all seriousness, Ross’s best stretch as a Phillie came from April 19 through the end of May. In the 13 games he pitched in that time, Ross had a 2.66 ERA in 20.1 innings and started earning a bit of trust from Rob Thomson. He pitched two big innings in a win against the (should still be in Oakland) Athletics but didn’t earn many high leverage chances after that.
He did pitch 51.0 innings, which ranked fourth on the team from their relievers. They weren’t pretty innings but they all count in a 162 game season.
What went wrong
Well, Ross was cut on August 26, had an ERA above five, and was below replacement level. The entire Phillies free agent class last winter was a near disaster but he didn’t help things.
There are a few lowlights to pick from, he allowed four runs against the Giants in April, three against the Cubs in June, and three against the Mets in his final outing of the season. However, how many of you sickos remember those outings?
If there is one Joe Ross outing to remember, it’s when he was tasked with trying to close out the Atlanta Braves on April 10th with a 2-1 lead. This was the first time Rob Thomson had asked Ross to pitch in a back-to-back and it was just perfect.
Against Austin Riley, Ross threw a 92.5 mph fastball right down the pipe to Austin Riley, who crushed a one hopper off the wall in right-center field to tie the game.
With the score 2-2, Ross threw a hanging slider to Marcell Ozuna and the big bear allowed the Braves to celebrate.
Future with the Phillies
Joe Ross does not have a future with the Phillies but hopefully he can find success somewhere else. It’s not like he was always a scrub, his last season with the Washington Nationals was solid, and the Phillies saw something in him after his time with the Brewers.
Ross also immediately signed a minor league deal with the Cubs so he is still on MLB teams’ radars. He will probably have to sign another minor league deal this winter but it’s not hard to imagine Ross earning a call at some point if/when injuries occur for a club.
