Phillies Events on January 8
January 8, 1995 – Mike Schmidt, the Phillies’ legendary third baseman who hit 548 career home runs and won three National League MVP Awards, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in his first year on the ballot, honoring his outstanding career in Philadelphia.
January 8, 2015 – Jeanmar Gomez signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Gomez pitched for the Phillies in three different seasons (2015-2017) posting a 4.35 ERA in 153 relief appearances.

MLB Events on January 8
January 8, 1898 – National League president Nick Young announced that the more experienced umpire would remain behind the plate under the new two-umpire system, a notable step in professional officiating standards.
January 8. 1981 – The Cincinnati Reds signed free agent Larry Biittner; with this move, the Reds became the last of the 26 MLB teams at the time to sign a player through modern free agency.
January 8, 1986 – Hall of Fame first baseman Willie McCovey was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, becoming the 16th player to achieve that honor.
January 8, 1991 – Rod Carew, Gaylord Perry, and Ferguson Jenkins were elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, marking a historic class for pitching and hitting excellence.
January 8, 1998 – The New York Yankees signed free agent Darryl Strawberry, a high-profile veteran slugger who started his career across town with the New York Mets.

Phillies Birthdays on January 8
Gene Freese (born 1934) – Infielder who played 15 MLB seasons with several teams including playing for the Phillies in 1959 when he hit 23 home runs with 70 RBI and a .268 average. He was known for solid defensive play and occasional power.
Jeff Hoffman (born 1993) – Right-handed pitcher and former first-round draft pick who pitched for the Phillies in 2023 and 2024 making 122 relief appearances with a 2.28 ERA and an all-star appearance in 2024.
Jhoan Duran (born 1998) – Relief pitcher who joined the Phillies in July of 2025 in a trade with the Minnesota Twins. Duran saved 32 games last season, 16 of them with the Phillies.

MLB Birthdays on January 8
Matt LaPorta (born 1985) – First baseman/outfielder known for his collegiate power at Florida and later MLB service with the Indians and Brewers.
Jon Edwards (born 1988) – Right-handed pitcher who appeared in relief roles for Texas, San Diego, and Cleveland.
Chris Paddack (born 1996) – Starting pitcher known for his time with the Padres and Twins.

A DEEPER DIVE… The Durantula

Jhoan Duran’s journey to becoming one of baseball’s most electric relievers started in the Dominican Republic, where his raw arm strength stood out at a young age. He signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as a teenager and quickly became known in scouting circles for a fastball that already flirted with elite velocity. In 2018, he was part of the trade that sent Eduardo Escobar to Arizona and brought Duran to the Minnesota Twins organization, a move that quietly reshaped Minnesota’s pitching future.

Like many young pitchers, Duran’s development wasn’t perfectly linear. He dealt with injuries and lost some time during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but the Twins remained patient. When he returned to game action in 2021, the velocity jumped even more, and his secondary pitches sharpened. The organization began to realize they had something special brewing, even if the exact role was still being defined.

Duran burst onto the major league scene in 2022 and immediately grabbed attention across the league. His fastball routinely touched triple digits and often climbed to 102 or 103 mph, pairing explosive speed with late life that made it extremely difficult for hitters to square up. What really separated him from the typical flame-thrower was the quality of his splitter. The pitch dove late and hard, giving him a legitimate swing-and-miss weapon against both right-handed and left-handed hitters.

He quickly became a high-leverage option in the Twins bullpen, piling up strikeouts and generating weak contact. Fans loved the pure electricity of his appearances, while opposing hitters often looked overwhelmed by the combination of velocity and movement. Even when he wasn’t closing games, he was often trusted in the most stressful innings, facing the heart of opposing lineups when the game was on the line.

Growth, Adjustments, and Consistency

As teams began to see more of Duran, the chess match naturally intensified. Hitters tried to sit on velocity, and clubs game-planned more carefully. Duran responded by improving his command and learning when to lean on his splitter or slider rather than simply overpowering hitters. That evolution helped him maintain effectiveness over multiple seasons instead of being a one-year sensation.

There have been occasional bumps, including minor injuries and stretches where command wavered, which is common for power relievers. Still, his ability to miss bats and limit hard contact kept him among the most trusted arms in Minnesota’s bullpen. Coaches have praised his work ethic and willingness to learn, traits that separate long-term contributors from short-lived flamethrowers.

Role, Reputation, and What’s Ahead

By the mid-2020s, Duran had established himself as one of the premier young relievers in the American League. In July of 2025, Duran was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Mick Abel and minor league catching prospect Eduardo Tait. Duran arrived in Philadelphia and immediately assumed the role of closer due to the absence of Jose Alvarado, who was serving an 80-game suspension for violating the league policy on banned substances. Along with Duran the Phillies also acquired the accompanying video that marked his entrances into games with the Twins and duplicated the light show and audio also used by Duran. The entrance was so electrifying that television broadcasts began sticking with the game to show his entrance rather than going to a commercial break.

Looking ahead, durability and continued refinement will be the key storylines. If Duran stays healthy and keeps improving his command, he has the upside to remain an elite late-inning weapon for many years. For fans who enjoy watching raw power paired with developing polish, his career arc has already been a thrill ride, and it still feels like there’s another level waiting to be unlocked.

Please scroll down to comment on this story or to give it a rating. We appreciate your feedback!

PBN Logo

Disclaimer: Some of the products featured or linked on this website may generate income for Philly Baseball News through affiliate commissions, sponsorships, or direct sales. We only promote items we believe in, but please assume that PBN may earn a cut from qualifying purchases that you make using a link on this site.

Privacy Policy | Contact us

© 2025 LV Sports Media. All rights reserved.