Jesús Luzardo made quite the impression in his first year with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2025, stepping up as a key figure in the rotation, especially after Zack Wheeler's injury. His sweeper became a standout pitch, turning him into one of the league's most formidable pitchers. This season, Luzardo is back with a new twist-an upgraded changeup that promises to elevate his game even further.
Last year, Luzardo's sweeper was a force to be reckoned with, boasting a 43.7 percent whiff rate, ranking third among all qualified pitchers. This success came after some fine-tuning during spring training, following his trade from the Miami Marlins in the 2024 offseason. Now, he's set his sights on enhancing his changeup, which could make his already impressive repertoire even more lethal.
In spring training, Luzardo is already showing signs of brilliance, but he’s not resting on his laurels. He’s focused on refining his changeup to add another layer of unpredictability to his pitching.
“Just kind of trying to fine-tune it, and see if I can maybe get a little more swing-and-miss, or just kind of give guys a different look,” Luzardo shared. His aim is to elevate his changeup from good to elite, adding another weapon to his arsenal.
Luzardo's numbers from last season speak volumes. He pitched a career-high 183 2/3 innings and notched 216 strikeouts, the second-most in the National League.
His changeup played a significant role, holding opponents to a .224 batting average and a .315 slugging percentage, with a 36.2 whiff rate ranking ninth among qualified pitchers. Teammate Cristopher Sánchez was even more impressive, ranking third with a 45.1 percent whiff rate.
Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham highlights Luzardo's relentless drive to improve. “He’s always trying to find that edge and the stretch to ‘What’s next?
What can I do to get a little better?’” Cotham said.
This mindset is crucial as the league continually evolves, with hitters constantly raising their game.
Despite some challenges in 2025, including pitch-tipping issues that led to a 3.92 ERA over 32 starts, Luzardo proved his mettle when it mattered most. His sweeper was a critical asset, and if his changeup follows suit, 2026 could be a standout year for him. Phillies fans have every reason to be excited about what Luzardo brings to the mound this season.