Phillies spring training preview: Initial 26-man roster projection
With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training, let's take a stab at the initial 26-man roster
The Philadelphia Phillies have arrived in Clearwater!
Pitchers and catchers reported on Wednesday for the first day of spring training workouts, which means baseball season is officially underway.
While the Phillies are bringing back the same core over the last several seasons, this is a group that has won 90+ games for three consecutive seasons and made the playoffs for four straight years.
There has been some significant changes to the roster, mainly in the outfield and bullpen. The Phillies also have an influx of young talent ready to contribute at the major league level.
As spring training gets underway, let’s make an early projection at the 26-man roster. This will be updated throughout the spring until the Opening Day roster is released.
Catchers (2): J.T. Realmuto, Rafael Marchan
Realmuto is locked in as the starting catcher after playing 132 games at the position at season. Can the Phillies risk playing Realmuto in that many games at catcher in his age-35 season? Marchan is more than capable of giving Realmuto some well-deserved time off this season.
Infield (5): Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, Edmundo Sosa
The infield has been set in stone since the Phillies were unable to lure Bo Bichette in free agency. Harper and Turner both are under long-term deals and are franchise leaders, while Bohm is in his final year of arbitration and Stott has another year of arbitration remaining. Sosa will also be a free agent after this season.
This is the group to start the season, but Aidan Miller is on the horizon. He’s projected be a regular in the infield by the start of the 2027 season. Otto Kemp can also play first base and third base as well, and he’s expected to see some time at both positions this year.
Outfield (5): Adolis Garcia, Justin Crawford, Brandon Marsh, Otto Kemp, Bryan De La Cruz
The Phillies will have Garcia as the everyday right fielder, while Crawford is projected to start in center field come Opening Day. Marsh and Kemp are the left field platoon.
The front runners for the fifth outfield spot are De La Cruz, prospect Gabriel Rincones, Pedro Leon, and Johan Rojas. Based on De La Cruz’s winter in the Dominican League (won MVP), he has the edge heading into camp.
DH (1): Kyle Schwarber
Schwarber is coming off a season which he hit a career-high 56 home runs and 142 RBI. He’s one of the bets hitters in baseball and one of the elite designated hitters.
Starting pitchers (5): Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker, Andrew Painter
Even without Wheeler being ready for Opening Day, the Phillies have a strong 1-2 punch with Sanchez and Luzardo. Nola will be pitching in the World Baseball Classic, so all eyes will be on Painter to see is he can crack the rotation this spring.
The Phillies are looking to add starting pitching depth this spring, due to the uncertainty of the back end of the rotation. An injury significantly weakens this group.
Bullpen (8): Jhoan Duran, Jose Alvarado, Brad Keller, Tanner Banks, Orion Kerkering, Jonathan Bowlan, Kyle Backhus, Zach McCambley
The bullpen has significantly upgraded this offseason, as Keller bridges the gap between the seventh inning and Duran. Alvarado coming back healthy is also massive for the Phillies in the later innings.
Outs 15 to 21 are also bridged with Banks and Kerkering. The Phillies got Boylan in the Matt Strahm deal, making him a relief arm to watch this spring. McCambley is a Rule 5 pick, so he’ll have to make the Opening Day roster or be offered back to the Marlins.
McCambley and Backhus will be competing with Nolan Hoffman, Seth Johnson, Max Lazar, and Yoniel Curet for a spot in the bullpen. Outside of McCambley (who has to be on the roster all year), the rest of this group have minor-league options remaining.
IL: Zack Wheeler
Wheeler won’t be ready for Opening Day, so he could open the season on the injured list as the Phillies ramp him up to join the rotation after a turn or two through the rotation.