The Philadelphia Phillies have traded pitcher Matt Strahm to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jonathan Bowlan, marking a significant move for both teams. The announcement came early on the morning of June 30, 2025, as the Phillies look to reshape their roster ahead of the upcoming season.
Strahm, a 34-year-old native of West Fargo, North Dakota, has been a reliable presence for the Phillies over three seasons. He appeared in 188 games, including 10 starts, from 2023 to 2025, achieving a record of 17 wins and 10 losses alongside an impressive earned run average (ERA) of 2.71, allowing 64 earned runs across 212.2 innings pitched. Strahm joined the Phillies as a free agent on December 9, 2022, after previously being selected by the Royals in the 21st round of the 2012 MLB Draft.
Bowlan, 29, brings a solid track record from his time with the Royals. In 2025, he pitched in a career-high 34 games, making one start, and recorded a 3.86 ERA with 19 earned runs allowed over 44.1 innings. His performance earned him a ranking of 13th among American League rookies with a strikeout rate of 25.6%, striking out 46 batters out of 180 faced. Notably, Bowlan held right-handed hitters to a .182 batting average, ranking second among all major league rookies in that category for players with a minimum of 85 batters faced.
Bowlan’s Potential and Previous Performance
Bowlan’s accomplishments also include a significant ground ball rate of 49.1%, ranking third among American League rookie relievers. Originally drafted by Kansas City in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft, he notched his first major league victory on May 21, 2025, in 1.1 innings of relief against the San Francisco Giants.
During the summer, Bowlan showcased exceptional capabilities, striking out 14 batters without yielding a hit across a career-high 10.2-inning scoreless streak from July 30 to September 8. His effectiveness with the sinker pitch was notable; he threw 126 sinkers last season, limiting opposing hitters to a mere .161 slugging percentage and achieving a 10.7% hard-hit rate. Among the 296 pitchers who threw at least 100 sinkers, Bowlan ranked second in opponent slugging percentage and third in hard-hit rate.
Standing at 6 feet 6 inches, Bowlan hails from Arlington, Tennessee, and has also made a mark in the minor leagues. Last season, he made 24 appearances with Triple-A Omaha, finishing with a perfect 3-0 record and a 2.25 ERA over 36 innings, striking out 45 batters while allowing only 11 walks.
As the Phillies and Royals continue their preparations for the next season, both teams are poised to benefit from this trade, with Strahm’s experience and Bowlan’s potential adding depth to their respective rosters. The move emphasizes the ongoing strategy of both franchises to enhance their pitching staff as they aim for success in the highly competitive landscape of Major League Baseball.
