Former Fightin Max Lazar Making Most of Big League Opportunity

(Philadelphia) - For former Reading Fightin Phil Max Lazar, 2024 has brought tons of success and new opportunities for the right-handed pitcher.

Lazar signed with the Phillies as a minor league free agent prior to the start of the season. After seven-scoreless appearances with Philadelphia in Spring Training, Lazar was assigned to Double-A Reading to begin the season, and from there his success continued.

With the Fightin Phils, Lazar did not allow a single run, and only three hits, over eight appearances and 10.1 innings pitched. He struck out 18 and walked none. His early-season success in Baseballtown led to a call-up to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on May 8.

“The new facility was awesome," Lazar said of the clubhouse in Reading on Monday at Citizens Bank Park. "It was my first year switching organizations after a long time with Milwaukee. I thought the staff was great. There’s a lot of talent in the Eastern League. Reading was awesome.”

Lazar's success quickly translated to Lehigh Valley. Over 26 appearances out of the bullpen with the IronPigs, Lazar posted a 2.40 ERA, while striking out 35 and walking nine over 30 innings pitched. He did not allow an earned run in 17 of his first 18 outings in his first career stint in Triple-A.

When factoring in Spring Training, Lazar did not allow an earned run in his first 15 outings of the season and 32 of his first 33. In short, Lazar was nearly unhittable.

“I was trying to attack guys," Lazar said on his success. "It’s unsustainable to put up really great numbers for a long period of time, but you’re going to run into some hits falling. Coming up with new ways to attack and tweaking some sequencing stuff. Which is something I’ve learned from both the coaches and guys here.”

Lazar's success between Reading and Lehigh Valley left with the Phillies with no choice other than to call the 25-year old up to the big leagues on August 9. He made his major league debut on Aug. 10 and did not allow a run over his first seven outings with Philadelphia.

The Phillies optioned Lazar to Lehigh Valley on Aug. 25 and recalled him the following day. With many Phillies being hit by a recent injury bug, Lazar is taking on any role and pitching in almost any situation. He's appeared late in games, with the Phillies up, down, and anywhere in between. Most of all, he feels fortunate to be pitching for a team in the heart of a postseason push.

“I'm trying to take it day by day," he said. "The team is very good, I'm trying to contribute whenever they need me to and how they need me to. Every game is pretty meaningful. I try not to look at the standings too much and focus on the game and getting the win that day.”

Lazar enters a bullpen that is very experienced and has multiple All-Star's in it. One of the younger members in that bullpen, Orion Kerkering, was in a vastly similar situation as Lazar nearly one year ago. Kerkering was called up to the Phillies with less than one week left in the regular season and went on to play a pivotal role out of the bullpen in the postseason.

It remains to be seen whether Lazar plays a similar role, but he has teammates like Kerkering, and many of the veterans that he can lean on for advice as the regular season winds down. Notably, for pointers on managing the season into the end of September and October, as this will be the deepest Lazar pitches into a season in his professional career.

“Orion has the experience going through this stretch run last year," Lazar said. "It’s weird to think we have three weeks left since the minor league season is wrapping up. The big thing is taking care of our bodies as it’s a long year to get here. I'm watching how the other relievers go about each game. Seeing how they prepare has been really cool to see.”

Lazar's hard work to get to the big leagues has shown in Philadelphia since his promotion one month ago. In addition to starting his career with seven-scoreless outings, Lazar retired 20 of the first 22 hitters he faced.

Despite being only 25-year old, Lazar has had an extensive professional baseball career. After being drafted out of high school in the 11th round in 2017, Lazar spent five seasons in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, reaching as high as Double-A Biloxi in 2023. He also missed the entire 2021 season rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery.

After his contract was up with the Brewers, Lazar knew he wanted to seek an opportunity elsewhere. Milwaukee offered him a chance to re-sign, but Lazar knew joining the Phillies organization was the right move once Philadelphia came calling.

“I was looking for a fresh start," Lazar said. "The Phillies were the first team to call after the Brewers and I said yes pretty quickly. I had some familiarity with [R-Phils Pitching Coach] Riley McCauley and [Phillies Assistant Pitching Coach] Brian Kaplan. That was cool that they circled my name and wanted me and had trust in me. It’s worked out well so far.”

For Lazar, the 2024 season has been the most fruitful year of his career. Now, the former Fightin Phil, finds himself a key cog in the Phillies bullpen, with a chance to pitch very meaningful innings for a team who has its sights set on its first World Championship since 2008.

The Fightin Phils return to the field Tuesday against the Harrisburg Senators, Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, at 6:30 p.m. Pregame radio coverage is underway at 6:15 p.m. on the Reading Fightin Phils Radio Network. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

The Fightin Phils return to FirstEnergy Stadium to open the 2025 season against the Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox on Friday, April 4, 2025. Season tickets, mini plans and group outings are now available. For more information, go to rphils.com, call 610-370-BALL or in-person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.

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.