Cole Hamels
Stats: 114–90, 3.29 ERA, 1927 IP, 40.6 WAR
The homegrown ace of a generation. Drafted by the Phillies in 2002, Hamels delivered on every bit of his top-prospect promise, becoming the workhorse and October legend the franchise needed. His 40.6 WAR leads all Phillies pitchers this century — and by a healthy margin. Over nearly 2,000 innings, Hamels was the epitome of durability and elite command, posting an 8.6 K/9 and walking just 2.3 per nine.
He delivered when it mattered most: a 2008 NLCS MVP, a 2008 World Series MVP, and the swaggering lefty who started the biggest games of the golden era. Mix in a career 3.29 ERA and a 3.37 xFIP — he didn’t just win games, he missed bats and limited damage. He’s the unquestioned No. 1 here.
Aaron Nola
Stats: 105–86, 3.78 ERA, 1671 IP, 37.1 WAR
No pitcher has taken the ball more for the Phillies in the last decade than Nola — and he’s done it with consistency, elite strikeout stuff (9.9 K/9), and command (2.3 BB/9). While his ERA fluctuated year to year, his underlying metrics (3.35 xFIP, 3.50 FIP) show a pitcher who’s often better than the results.
Nola leads all Phillies in strikeouts this century and was the rotation anchor during multiple postseason runs. His 2022 NLCS performance proved he could shine in October. He might not have Hamels’ ring or Halladay’s aura, but his longevity, pitch efficiency, and overall value make him a lock.
Zack Wheeler
Stats: 68–35, 2.87 ERA, 951.1 IP, 28.3 WAR
Since arriving in Philly in 2020, Wheeler has been nothing short of dominant. Among qualified starters in franchise history, his 2.87 ERA and 2.92 xERA rank among the best. He owns a 9.96 K/9 and just 0.80 HR/9 — showcasing overpowering stuff and elite command of the zone.
He finished runner-up in Cy Young voting in 2021 and has been a postseason bulldog, including a 2022 playoff run where he pitched like a modern-day Curt Schilling. He hasn’t been here as long as Hamels or Nola, but his peak has been Cy Young-level. He’s in, easily.
Cliff Lee
Stats: 48–34, 2.94 ERA, 827.1 IP, 21.9 WAR
If you were to build a pitcher in a lab to dominate with style and precision, you’d get Cliff Lee. He rejoined the Phillies in 2011 and quickly became a fan-favorite again, dazzling with pinpoint control (1.35 BB/9) and a 2.94 ERA over four seasons. His 2.85 xERA is actually the best of the five.
Lee’s calm demeanor masked a killer mentality on the mound. Though injuries shortened his second stint in Philly, he was dominant every time he pitched. Few Phillies pitchers have ever made it look this easy. He threw complete games like they were routine. He belongs.
Roy Halladay
Stats: 55–29, 3.25 ERA, 702.2 IP, 16.8 WAR
The run was brief. The impact? Monumental. Halladay was already a legend when he arrived in 2010, but his Phillies chapter includes a perfect game, a playoff no-hitter, a Cy Young Award, and a 2.44 ERA over his first two seasons. In just 103 starts, he logged nearly 17 WAR.
His 3.15 xFIP, 75.7% LOB rate, and a groundball rate of nearly 49% show a pitcher who imposed his will and never gave in. He changed the tone of the franchise overnight. His numbers and presence from 2010–2011 alone lock him into this rotation.
His 3.15 xFIP, 75.7% LOB rate, and a groundball rate of nearly 49% show a pitcher who imposed his will and never gave in. He changed the tone of the franchise overnight. His numbers and presence from 2010–2011 alone lock him into this rotation.
Stats: 539 IP, 3.04 ERA, 8.6 WAR
Madson was the quiet assassin. He spent nearly a decade in red pinstripes, evolving from a swingman to one of the most dependable setup men in baseball. He struck out more than 8 per nine, rarely walked anyone (2.55 BB/9), and gave up fewer than one homer per 9 innings.
But it wasn’t just the numbers — it was the moments. He was the bridge to Lidge in 2008, pitching high-leverage innings with poise and precision. He finished his Phillies career with a 3.04 ERA and the kind of trust that’s hard to earn in South Philly. Maybe the most underrated reliever of the era.
Héctor Neris
Stats: 407.2 IP, 3.42 ERA, 11.48 K/9, 84 saves
When Neris was on, he was untouchable. That splitter? Pure filth. He’s second in saves this century by a Phillies reliever, and leads them all in strikeout rate (11.48 K/9).
Sure, the command occasionally got wobbly (3.33 BB/9), and the home run ball showed up at times (1.30 HR/9). But over 400 innings in a Phillies uniform, he delivered more than people realize — posting a 3.42 ERA and generating whiffs at an elite rate. He's the ultimate “don’t look at the walk rate, look at the outs” reliever.
Jonathan Papelbon
Stats: 123 saves, 2.31 ERA, 5.1 WAR
Yes, he was polarizing. No, he didn’t win a ring in Philly. But Papelbon was nails on the mound. He converted 123 saves with a 2.31 ERA — the best of any closer in Phillies history with that many innings.
He walked under 2 per 9 (1.97), struck out over 9, and owned the ninth inning with an icy, bulldog demeanor. You can debate his antics. You can’t debate his dominance. Pound for pound, he's the most statistically effective Phillies closer this century.
Billy Wagner
Stats: 59 saves, 1.86 ERA, 10.4 K/9
Wagner’s Phillies tenure was short, but electric. His 1.86 ERA across 126 innings is jaw-dropping. He struck out over 10 per nine, walked less than 2, and allowed just 0.79 HR/9 in the middle of the steroid era.
His fastball regularly touched triple digits and blew hitters away. Even if his prime years were in Houston and New York, his Philly stint was utterly dominant — and every bit worthy of this list.
José Alvarado
Stats: 229.2 IP, 3.37 ERA, 11.80 K/9
Take the current suspension out of the picture and Alvarado has been the Phillies’ most overpowering reliever in recent years. His 98.6 mph average velocity is the highest of anyone on this list, and he’s struck out nearly 12 per nine innings.
Yes, the walks (4.74 BB/9) are part of the story — but so are the whiffs, the groundballs (52.1%), and the goosebump-inducing entrances in October. He’s been untouchable when right, and the raw stuff is some of the nastiest the Phillies have ever had out of the pen.
Brad Lidge
Stats: 100 saves, 3.73 ERA, Perfect in 2008
Forget the ERA. Forget the high walk rate. Brad Lidge gave the Phillies a perfect 48-for-48 in saves in 2008, capped off by a World Series-clinching strikeout.
His overall numbers (10.6 K/9, 3.77 xFIP) show a high-strikeout, high-stress closer who thrived in chaos. And yet, he still delivered a 1.95 ERA in his first season in Philly. He may not have been perfect after 2008, but for one unforgettable year, he was historic. That matters. He’s in.
His overall numbers (10.6 K/9, 3.77 xFIP) show a high-strikeout, high-stress closer who thrived in chaos. And yet, he still delivered a 1.95 ERA in his first season in Philly. He may not have been perfect after 2008, but for one unforgettable year, he was historic. That matters. He’s in.
