Alumni Check In: Tyler Phillips Dazzles with Phillies

(Philadelphia) - Tyler Phillips stepped out of the Phillies dugout at around 8:15 p.m. on Saturday night, looking to do something he had never done in his professional career. He was three outs shy of his first career nine-inning complete game, and complete-game shutout.

Maybe five minutes later, Phillips pumped his fists as the final out of the 8-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians dropped in the glove of newest Phillies' left fielder Austin Hays. The Phillies celebrated, and Phillips soaked in the moment of yet another impressive outing at the big league level.

“My body has never felt that before," Phillips said on the ovation he got when walking back out for the ninth inning. "You get chills and you’re trying not to laugh. You want to tear up, get choked up. I don’t know what was going on, but I felt like I was able to throw 100 miles per hour at the point. All I wanted to do was sit those guys back down.”

Phillips' professional career has spanned nearly a decade. He was drafted out of Bishop Eustace High School in the 16th round of the 2015 Draft by the Texas Rangers. With no major college offers on the table, Phillips opted to sign with Texas nearly four-months shy of his 18th birthday.

His time with the Rangers featured many highs and lows. Phillips was added to Texas' 40-man roster in 2019, but never made it to the big leagues. He was ultimately designated for assignment in 2021, then promptly claimed off waivers by the Phillies, the team he grew up rooting for.

After just five starts in the Phillies system, between Double-A Reading and High-A Jersey Shore. Phillips' season was over as he underwent Tommy John Surgery. He missed all of 2022 rehabbing and returned to action with Reading to open the 2023 season. Phillips was anointed the Fightin Phils opening day starter, something Phillips cited as an absolute honor.

A strong first half of 2023 with Reading, led to a call up to Triple-A Lehigh Valley for Phillips. He finished 2023 with the IronPigs and began the season there as well. Then, on July 5, Phillips was promoted to the big leagues and made his Major League debut.

Every outing with the Phillies, Phillips has continued to get stronger. That, of course, headed on Saturday night when he did something he had never done before.

“He’s been really good," Phillies Manager Rob Thomson said after Saturday night's game. "I think the velocity is up from his Triple-A numbers. His curve ball against lefties and sinker were really good with a lot of soft contact and a lot of ground balls.”

Phillips allowed just four hits in the Phillies 8-0 win over Cleveland, with the final coming in the fourth inning. He was locked in for the entire game, firing 105 pitches and 71 for strikes. There was never a doubt to Rob Thomson that Phillips would finish the game.

“I went downstairs and made sure he felt fine and strong," Thomson said. "I said to keep doing what you’re doing and finish this thing off. That’s what he did.”

It's been a long and winding journey for Phillips to reach the big leagues. No one players path to the Majors is linear. Some, like teammate Orion Kerkering reach the big leagues in one year. Others, like Phillips, take a little while longer. For the Lumberton, New Jersey, native, the nearly 10-year journey has become sweeter with each passing outing.

Phillips thought his big-league debut in Atlanta was cool, then he got his first win at Citizens Bank Park. He followed that with six-scoreless frames at Pittsburgh last week. But, he never could have expected it to get even better from there.

“I didn’t think anything could top that," Phillips said. "I talk about it all the time, it’s just preparation and doing my homework on guys. I’m going to continue to put the right work in. I know I have a good team behind me.”

Phillips' journey alone has been remarkable, regardless of the big league team he's playing with. But, Phillips is doing it with the team he grew up watching. He always has a ton of family and friends at games. It's always "more than I expect," Phillips chimed. He guesses outside of his immediate family, he has up to 40 people at games to watch him.

One of those is his son Frank. Phillips caught a first pitch from Frank prior to Reading's Father's Day game in 2023. A silver lining of his rehab in 2022 was getting to spend time being the best dad he can be to Frank, and now both of them are enjoying the moments that continue to build in Phillips' magical ride.

“He just wants to run around on the field, run the bases," Phillips said. "It’s pretty cool to see him be out there. He’s making friends with the other kids. He’s a bundle of energy.”

Rob Thomson said Phillips will continue to remain in the rotation. With Ranger Suarez, Taijuan Walker and Spencer Turnbull all sidelined, Phillips success has come at an important time for the Phillies rotation. He's going to keep going out there and helping his hometown team inch towards its ultimate goal of a World Championship.

But, as Phillips continues to establish himself as a big league pitcher. His main focus remains doing whatever he can to help the Phillies win, which is all he's done over his first three Major League starts. Ultimately though, it's the journey that got him there that Phillips will always remember every time he takes the mound.

“It’s a lot of learning over my career," Phillips said. "I’ve had a lot of failure and a lot of success. It’s trying to find the things that work and just stay within myself. The preparation is key for me.”

Catch Phillips former team when Reading returns home from Tuesday, July 30 through Sunday, August 4, against the Hartford Yard Goats, Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Tuesday is the 21st Annual Morning Game, with the first 2,000 adults receiving a Cream Chipped Beef Hat, thanks to Reading Hospital. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday all feature fireworks. Wednesday's show is presented by Beneficial Society Victor Emmanuel II. Thursday's is sponsored by Riverfront Federal Credit Union and Friday's is thanks to PSECU. Saturday is a Tribute to Harry Potter, with the R-Phils wearing Harry Potter Jerseys. The night will end with Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks, presented by T-Mobile. The series ends Sunday with a Phillie Phanatic Appearance, presented by Berks County Intermediate Unit.

To buy tickets, call 610-370-BALL, go to rphils.com/tickets, or in person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office. The Fightin Phils Brentwood Industries Team Store is open both in-person and online 24/7 at rphils.com/shop.

The 2024 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.