The Philadelphia Phillies secured the services of the most dominant closer on the market Wednesday night by sending Top 100 prospects Eduardo Tait and Mick Abel to the Minnesota Twins for Jhoan Duran, according to reports.
The 27-year-old Duran, who attacks hitters with a 100-mph four-seam fastball, a 97-mph split-finger and a spicy knuckle-curve, posted a 6-4 record with 16 saves and a 2.01 ERA in 49 games for the Twins this season. He has allowed just five extra-base hits — four doubles and one homer — in 202 batters faced.
The right-hander from the Dominican Republic has been one of the best relievers in the big leagues since making his debut in 2022 — forging a 2.47 ERA with 292 strikeouts and 74 walks over 233 2/3 innings. Opponents have hit just .216 against him.
The Phillies, who entered Wednesday’s play a half-game behind the New York Mets in the National League East race, paid a stout price to firm up the back of their bullpen.
Tait is an 18-year-old catcher regarded by MLB Pipeline as the Phillies’ No. 4 prospect and the No. 56 prospect overall. He has spent most of this season with Single-A Clearwater and produced a .251 average with 11 homers and 51 RBIs despite being three years younger than the average player.
The Panama native was promoted to Single-A Jersey Shore in the Sally League on July 22 and fashioned a .296 average with three doubles and six RBIs in seven games.
Abel, 23, made a splashy major league debut with the Phillies on May 18 when he fired six shutout innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates — striking out nine without a walk. He posted a 2-2 record with a 5.04 ERA in six starts for the Phillies before returning to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he went 7-2 with a 2.31 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 74 innings.
Abel ranked as the Phillies’ No. 6 prospect and No. 92 across baseball.
–Field Level Media
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