© Bill Streicher/Imagn
While several teams made additions at the MLB trade deadline, perhaps no team made as big an addition as the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Phillies, who currently hold the second-best odds to win the World Series on most sites, approached the deadline with a clear need in the bullpen, especially after closer Jose Alvarado got busted for PEDs. Not only did they address that need, but they did so by acquiring one of the best closers in baseball, Jhoan Duran.
Duran is a power-throwing righty who his 104.8 on the radar gun for the Minnesota Twins in 2023. He’s just 27 years old and, as his Baseball Savant page shows, it’s nearly impossible to barrel up his pitches. He mixes in an absolutely wicked splitter with his four-seam fastball, leaving most hitters playing a guessing game at the dish.
Jhoan Duran’s Entrance Is One Of The Best Things In All Of Baseball
On top of having electric stuff, Duran also has one of the most electric entrances of any closer in the game.
Starting in his time with the Twins, Duran’s entrance involves an awesome full-stadium light show, while the bell from WWE star The Undertaker tolls, followed by a custom mix of two popular Latin music tracks: “El Incomprendido” by Farruko and “Hot” by Daddy Yankee and Pitbull.
Jhoan Durban’s entrance at Citizens Bank Park. The orange bell is a nice touch. pic.twitter.com/Ifz0yXMZ6q
— Charlotte Varnes (@charlottevarnes) August 2, 2025
The sold-out crowd at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia got to experience Duran’s entrance for the first time on Friday night, and it was absolutely sensational.
Duran went on to pick up the save against the Detroit Tigers, who entered the game with the best record in baseball, and he needed just four pitches to do so.
Safe to say the Phillies are already seeing a return on the investment they made to acquire to Duran. Now they’ll hope that the excitement and production continues long into the postseason.