It’s no secret that the Philadelphia Phillies are actively looking to strengthen their bullpen. The suspension of José Alvarado and the struggles of veteran arms like Jordan Romano have exposed a significant weakness for a team with postseason ambitions.
While the club recently signed veteran reliever, rumors persist—according to Jim Bowden of The Athletic—that Philadelphia could still pursue additional reinforcements to stabilize their inconsistent relief unit.
Amid these challenges, the Phillies might have uncovered a hidden gem in top star, whom they acquired from the Texas Rangers.
The Phillies have acquired top star from the Texas Rangers, the move flew under the radar. It was largely seen as a depth pickup for a struggling bullpen, not one that would significantly impact the roster. But since making his debut with Philadelphia in late June, the hard-throwing right-hander has turned some heads.
Though the sample size is limited, Robert has made a strong impression. In eight appearances, he’s thrown six innings, allowing just one earned run and four hits while striking out 11 batters. However, his command remains a concern—he’s issued six walks, averaging one per inning.
At this point, it’s unlikely the Phillies would trust the 30-year-old former 21st-round pick out of Auburn in a high-leverage postseason scenario. His Major League experience is minimal, with only 12 total appearances. Still, he presents an intriguing option for middle relief.
One encouraging sign is the uptick in his velocity. According to Baseball Savant, his four-seam fastball and cutter are both averaging nearly two miles per hour faster than last season. His most-used pitch remains the sweeper, which he’s thrown 43.6% of the time this year (compared to 48.5% last season). Notably, the sweeper’s whiff rate has jumped from 24% in 2024 to an impressive 40% in 2025.
Robert’s ability to generate strikeouts is evident, and if he can rein in his command, he could carve out a consistent role as a middle reliever. He still has a minor league option remaining, so a roster move after the trade deadline is possible. But if he continues to perform and limit runs, he may force the Phillies’ hand into keeping him in the bullpen mix longer-term.