Why Alec Bohm's Endorsement of Alex McFarlane Matters for the Phillies Bullpen
Phillies infielder Alec Bohm had high praise for teammate and rookie reliever Alex McFarlane.
"I mean, he's got elite stuff," Bohm told reporters, according to Sports Illustrated. "It's a very talented arm. The more and more that kid can get his feet wet for us and just get comfortable out there is going to be really important."
That praise did not come out of nowhere. McFarlane had already made the jump from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he threw 4.1 shutout innings in four relief appearances, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out eight. With the Phillies, he debuted against the Braves on Sept. 5 with a scoreless inning that required eight pitches. All eight were strikes.
His next appearance was messier. The Braves got McFarlane for a three-run home run by Ronald Acuña Jr. But the rookie kept receiving chances. After throwing a scoreless inning against Houston on Sept. 9, McFarlane carried a 2.84 ERA in 13 big league appearances.
A Bullpen That Has Faded Late
Bohm's wording deserves attention. "Get his feet wet" is baseball shorthand for giving a young pitcher low-pressure exposure. But September is rarely low-pressure. The Phillies are not just filling innings; they are searching for relievers who can protect a lead in October.
The search is rooted in recent history. According to Sports Illustrated, the Phillies allowed 36 runs in the 2024 and 2025 postseasons combined, and 86% of those runs came in the sixth inning or later. That is a bullpen problem, not a starting-pitching problem.
Bullpen roles shift often in this situation. A reliever who stumbles can be bumped from high-leverage work. A rookie who throws strikes can move the other way. McFarlane may still be earning trust, but the Phillies keep handing him the ball, and that is the most telling sign of all.
Bohm's public endorsement is part of that process. Veterans can help a young pitcher by expressing confidence, especially when the margins are thin. McFarlane has the stuff. What remains to be seen is whether he can do it when the games matter most. Bohm, for one, sounds like he thinks the answer is yes.