Marlins Pitcher Known for Slapping Himself Sees Velocity Spike

Tyler Phillips' unique pre-game ritual reflects his mental fortitude and rising performance on the mound.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:44pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting in neon colors depicting the explosive motion and energy of a baseball pitcher, with the player's face blurred and indistinct, conceptually representing the mental focus and intensity of the athlete.A pitcher's unique pre-game ritual reflects his mental fortitude and rising performance on the mound.Miami Today

Miami Marlins pitcher Tyler Phillips, known for slapping himself in the face as he enters from the bullpen, has seen a significant increase in his fastball velocity this season. Phillips is now routinely hitting 96 mph on his sinker, up over 1 mph from last year, making him an even tougher pitcher to hit.

Why it matters

Phillips' ability to add velocity while maintaining his unique pre-game ritual shows his mental toughness and focus. As the Marlins look to build a competitive pitching staff, Phillips' improved performance could make him a key piece of their bullpen.

The details

According to MLB.com's Jared Greenspan, Phillips has added over 1 mph to his sinker, which now averages 96.6 mph. This increase in velocity, combined with the natural movement on his sinker, has made Phillips a more dominant relief pitcher. In 5.2 innings this season, he has a 0.00 ERA with 6 strikeouts and a 0.88 WHIP.

  • Phillips posted a 2.78 ERA in 54 games and 77.2 innings pitched last season.
  • So far in 2026, Phillips has appeared in 3 games for the Marlins.

The players

Tyler Phillips

A right-handed relief pitcher for the Miami Marlins who is known for slapping himself in the face as he enters games from the bullpen.

Sandy Alcantara

A starting pitcher for the Miami Marlins who has emerged as one of the top pitchers in Major League Baseball.

Eury Perez

A highly touted pitching prospect in the Miami Marlins' farm system.

Pete Fairbanks

A relief pitcher for the Miami Marlins who has been a key part of their bullpen.

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What they’re saying

“You may know Phillips best for his unique entrances, considering he's the pitcher who slaps himself while entering from the bullpen. He's also incredibly tough to hit, and he's not making it any easier on the opposition, adding over a full tick of velocity to a sinker that already has plus horizontal movement.”

— Jared Greenspan, MLB.com Reporter

What’s next

If Phillips can continue to pitch effectively with his increased velocity, he could solidify his role as a key piece of the Marlins' bullpen and potentially earn more high-leverage opportunities.

The takeaway

Phillips' unique pre-game ritual and improved performance this season demonstrate his mental fortitude and value as a key part of the Marlins' pitching staff as they look to build a competitive team.