Two weeks ago, Tyler Phillips made his first big league start in front of dozens of friends and family at Citizens Bank Park. The fans gave the South Jersey native and Bishop Eustace alum a standing ovation as he walked off the mound in what would eventually be his first victory.

He nearly got emotional then. He said he had never experienced anything like it. It was a dream come true since it wasn’t that long ago that he was one of those fans at the Bank who was giving ovations to his favorite players.

At the time, he didn’t think that anything could top it.

Then, in his next start at the ballpark he grew up in, it got even better.

Phillips, in just his third big league start, and fourth big league appearance overall, took on the Cleveland Guardians, the team with the best record in the American League and second-best record overall behind the Phillies, and tossed a four-hit complete game shutout.


Backed by four homers – three in a seven-run bottom of the fourth by Bryce Harper, Brandon Marsh and Kyle Schwarber, and later a solo shot by Nick Castellanos, – Phillips faced just two batters over the minimum, striking out four batters in an effective and efficient 105 pitches, becoming the first Phillies rookie to throw a shutout since Zach Eflin in 2016.

In fact, go back 30 years and here’s the list:

2024: Tyler Philips

2016: Zach Eflin

2009: J.A. Happ (two shutouts)

2007: J.D. Durbin

1996: Mike Grace

That’s pretty rare. And it’s even more rare that it came while pitching for a hometown team.

If his first start was surreal, what was the shutout like? Here’s a sample of Phillips explanations postgame:

I’ve never done that before. It felt pretty awesome.

My body never felt that before. You got chills. You’re trying not to laugh at it. You want to tear up. You’re choked up. I don’t know what was going on but it felt like I was able to throw 100 MPH at that point (the ninth inning). All I wanted to do was sit those guys back down on the bench.

I didn’t think that at all (having a better experience after the first start). It’s just preparation and doing my homework on guys and putting the right work in. I thank God I have  a good team behind me and they go out there and do what they need to every single time.

So far, so good.

Phillips became just the second player in the long history of the franchise to throw at least 25 innings in his first four appearances and allow four or fewer runs. The other guy? Jack Kraus – 81 years ago.

“He’s been really good,” manager Rob Thomson said. “Actually I think his velocity is up a little bit from his Triple-A numbers. Just his strike throwing ability – tonight he landed his curveball against lefties. The sinker was really good – it had a lot of soft contact, a lot of ground balls. … He couldn’t find his slider early. He found it late. He kept throwing it and finally found it, but he was fantastic.

“And just the composure and the poise – you know, you’re a rookie and you’re going in the ninth inning with a chance to have a complete game shutout. That’s nerve-wracking for some but he was just calm as can be.”

Phillips looks like he’s going to get a bit of a run in the rotation. With Ranger Suarez going on the 15-day I.L. Saturday, Taijuan Walker still a few weeks away despite throwing a live batting practice Wednesday that both Thomson and team president Dave Dombrowski gushed about, and Spencer Turnbull likely not to be a starting pitching option upon his return (per Dombrowski), Phillips is going to get a bunch of starts.

The Phillies could always trade for another starter prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline, but when asked Saturday if that was a possibility, Dombrowski kind of shrugged it off, and did so by mentioning Phillips.

“I think we’re comfortable where we are and I think part of that has to do with Phillips has thrown the ball well for us a few times,” he said. “Now, if something falls in our lap the next couple of days, I’m not saying we wouldn’t ever do it, but it’s also such that we don’t feel we have to do it.”

All because of a hometown kid who is living out the dream scenario of every baseball loving kid in the tri-state area.