Remembering Seranthony Dominguez’s career as a Phillie

When Seranthony Dominguez first joined the Philadelphia Phillies, the 2008 core was still intact, and Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay still gave opposing hitters nightmares. Dominguez had signed with Philadelphia as an international free agent back in 2011.

For the first time in nearly 13 years, Seranthony is no longer part of the Phillies’ organization.

A look back

Seranthony Dominguez took a rebuilding Phillies team by storm in 2018. His electric fastball quickly put him into the closer’s role. In 53 games, he posted a 2.95 ERA with 16 saves and 74 strikeouts. He looked like a piece that would help the Phillies exit their years-long rebuild.

In 2019, he appeared in just 27 games with a 4.02 ERA. He missed more than half the season due to an injured right UCL. Although it seemed like he avoided Tommy John surgery, over a year later, in July 2020, he would have the procedure.

He missed the entirety of 2020 and pitched in just a single inning in 2021. In 2022, Seranthony found what put him on the map in 2018. He recorded a 3.00 ERA in 51 IP with 9 saves. He shined in the Phillies’ first postseason appearance since 2011. In 10.2 IP, he allowed just two ER while striking out 18.

While he wasn’t as dominant in the 2023 regular season, he again showed out for the playoffs. In 5.1 IP, he allowed just a single unearned run.

2024 was not a pretty season for Seranthony. His 4.75 ERA did not represent the overall ability of a solid player, nor should there be cheers for his departure. Without Seranthony, the Phillies bullpen recovery from the 2020-21 disaster does not happen as quickly. The Phillies barely made the third Wildcard in 2022. Without him, there’s a chance the Brewers still hold on, and the Fightins never make it to the World Series.

He should be remembered fondly, not unlike the way Ryan Madson or JC Romero are remembered, for his accomplishments.

Team’s reaction

When the Phillies traded Seranthony Dominguez to the Orioles for Austin Hays on Friday, there were plenty of voices who spoke up.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski spoke to the media and revealed that the Orioles would not move one of their outfielders without receiving a major league bullpen arm. Ultimately, that led to Sernathony’s departure. When asked about trading him away, Dombrowski said, “It wasn’t easy.”

No one spent more time with Sernathony in the bullpen than José Alvarado. Alvarado, who joined Philadelphia in 2021, had built a strong relationship with Dominguez during their time together in the bullpen. When asked about his departure, Alvarado said, “Seranthony meant a lot to me. Just another brother for me, a brother that baseball gave me,” through team translator Diego D’Aniello.

Rob Thomson had been a Phillies coach since 2018 before becoming manager in 2022. He personally witnessed the various ups and downs of Seranthony’s career.

“Seranthony is a guy that works his tail off and cared about this organization a great deal,” said Thomson. “I think this is going to end up being a really great trade for both clubs.”

On Friday night, Seranthony made his Orioles debut, allowing 2 hits in 1 IP with 1 strikeout against the San Diego Padres.