This one is a head-scratcher. The Phillies signed reliever Zach Pop, 29, to a major league contract today. If this was three years ago, it would make sense, but for the past three seasons, Pop has struggled to get hitters out and to stay in the majors. Since 2023, Pop has pitched for Toronto, Seattle, and the Mets and in 78 relief outings, the right-hander has a 6.68 ERA over that stretch. This comes after he posted a 3.56 ERA in 85 games in his first two seasons with Miami and Toronto.

Injury is part of the conversation, even if it doesn’t fully explain the results. Pop has dealt with arm issues in the past, including elbow-related concerns earlier in his professional career. While he has been able to take the mound, relievers with power arsenals often rely on fine feel and repeatability. Any lingering discomfort or mechanical compensation can subtly impact command and movement.

There has not been a recent, headline-grabbing injury that explains anything, but teams often monitor pitchers like Pop closely. When command wavers and velocity remains intact, it can sometimes point to a pitcher who is physically available but not fully synced mechanically. That gray area is often where performance slips happen.

In other words, send out the bat-signal for Caleb Cotham!

Pop’s primary weapon is his sinker, which regularly sits in the upper 90s. Velocity, however, only gets a pitcher so far. Big league hitters have increasingly shown they can handle straight or poorly located velocity, and that has been a recurring problem for Pop. When his sinker leaks up in the zone, it becomes hittable despite the speed.

Command has been the biggest statistical red flag. Walk rates have crept up, and when he falls behind in counts, he’s often forced to challenge hitters without a reliable secondary pitch to finish at-bats. That combination has led to too many deep counts, extra baserunners, and stressful innings. Even when he limits hard contact, the lack of clean innings has worked against him.

Another factor is his platoon vulnerability. Right-handed hitters have generally seen him better than expected, largely because his breaking ball has not consistently separated from the sinker. Without enough horizontal or vertical contrast, hitters can sit on velocity and react late rather than being fooled outright.

Pop has also bounced between roles, which has not helped. Being shuttled between high-leverage spots, lower-leverage innings, and occasional option assignments to the minors makes it harder for a reliever to lock into a rhythm. Some pitchers thrive on flexibility. Others, especially those still refining command, benefit from defined usage.

Pop is a power right-hander built to induce ground balls. His sinker is his calling card, showing heavy arm-side run when located properly. The breaking ball flashes average but lacks consistency, and his changeup is more of a show-me pitch. Command is fringy, and his success depends heavily on staying down in the zone and getting early-count contact.

There is still a path forward for Zach Pop. Refining command, tightening his breaking ball, or even adding a cutter could help bridge the gap between velocity and results. For now, he remains a reminder that throwing hard is only part of the equation, especially for relievers trying to survive in today’s unforgiving run environment.

Pop is out of options, so it’s make or break for him this season with the Phillies.

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