As we get closer and closer to spring training with each passing day, it’s time to take a look at some of the key Philadelphia Phillies storylines that fans should keep an eye on. The biggest storylines of most training camps are the position battles.
The Phillies are an experienced squad, with most of the roster already settled well ahead of Opening Day. The starting infield is set, with Bryce Harper at first, Bryson Stott at second, Trea Turner at short and Alec Bohm at third. J.T. Realmuto is obviously the No. 1 catcher, while Kyle Schwarber has the designated hitter spot spoken for. The corner outfield spots are taken care of with veterans Max Kepler and Nick Castellanos.
That doesn’t leave many jobs available for the taking this spring. At least the ones that are up for grabs are intriguing. Here’s a rundown of the three roster spots to keep an eye on when Grapefruit League games start later this month.
Can Brandon Marsh hold off Johan Rojas in center field?
For the second year in a row, the Phillies’ outfield situation is a concern heading into training camp. At least this year it’s just center field up in the air. Newcomer Max Kepler will have the chance to prove he can be an everyday left fielder, while Nick Castellanos has right field locked up.
However, in center, the Phillies will look at Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas. Marsh, going into his third full season with the Phillies, has the edge to get the majority of the playing time. Rojas is likely penciled in to pick up games against left-handers, thanks to Marsh’s immense struggles against southpaws last year — he hit just .192.
Rojas had a strong showing in the Dominican Winter League, but manager Rob Thomson will have to see that translate into spring training to feel confident giving him a shot. If Marsh shows improvement versus lefties, Rojas might be relegated to a bench role as a late-inning defensive and pinch-running replacement.
Of course, general manager Preston Mattingly also made some interesting comments about top prospect Justin Crawford earlier in the offseason.
Who will steal the final bench spot this spring?
Speaking of the bench, it looks like there will be one job opening heading into the season. One bench spot will be given to the backup catcher (more on that further down). Another is already reserved for versatile infielder Edmundo Sosa. The third is likely Rojas’ to lose.
The fourth bench role will be a battle all spring, with Kody Clemens, Weston Wilson and Buddy Kennedy the internal options who will be given a chance (subscription required), per The Athletic’s Matt Gelb.
The versatile Wilson slashed .284/.347/.489 with 11 extra-base hits and 10 RBI in 41 appearances last season. Clemens appeared in 44 games, batting .219/.258/.447 with nine doubles, five home runs and 18 RBI. Kennedy played in eight games, picking up a pair of hits and two RBI in 11 at-bats.
With Kennedy having the least MLB experience of the three, it’s likely a two-horse race. Of note is that Clemens and Kennedy are out of minor-league options. So, while Wilson might be considered a frontrunner, Clemens might get the first crack at the job, assuming the Phillies don’t trade him before Opening Day.
Who will emerge as the Phillies’ backup catcher?
For a team that employs J.T. Realmuto behind the plate, there’s a lot of hand-wringing about the Phillies’ catcher situation. Manager Rob Thomson hopes to convince the three-time All-Star to take more days off this season, so the backup role will be more important than ever.
Incumbent backup Garrett Stubbs will face a challenge by once-promising prospect Rafael Marchán. The Phillies believe in Marchán’s bat and think he can play in the big leagues; he just hasn’t been able to stay healthy.
Marchán got to show his stuff in 2024, splitting time with Stubbs while Realmuto was on the IL. He appeared in 17 games, hitting an impressive .294 with an .894 OPS and three home runs. Now out of options, the 25-year-old has an advantage over Stubbs right out of the shoot, as the Phillies won’t want to pass him through waivers before giving him an opportunity to prove himself in the bigs.
In three seasons as Realmuto’s backup, Stubbs has a .222 average and .628 OPS in 147 games while striking out at a 25 percent clip. Last season, he hit .207 with a .558 OPS and one homer in 56 games. He has a split contract this season and isn’t guaranteed a spot on the MLB roster. With one option remaining, he’ll have to impress the coaching staff and front office during spring training to join the team for Opening Day.
