We all know that Philadelphia Phillies star catcher J.T. Realmuto is a team player, but the team’s latest plan on how to keep the 34-year-old healthy this season will put him to the test. In a plan that sounds absolutely crazy, the Phillies are considering trying Realmuto out in left field.
Still in the initial stages of being just an idea, the Phillies believe having him in the outfield will cut down on the wear and tear catchers are subjected to over the course of a Major League Baseball season. Realmuto played over 130 games in four of his first five seasons (obviously not the shortened 2020 year) in Philadelphia. In 2024, he only played 99 after dealing with right knee problems that resulted in missing time with surgery.
Phillies want to try out J.T. Realmuto in left field, and he’s open to it
Now, the Phillies want to keep the three-time Silver Slugger’s bat in the lineup but not subject him to the rigors of catching every day. He might get the occasional look as the designated hitter, but that will only be when Kyle Schwarber needs a day off — or is thrust back into left field duty himself.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson first tossed the crazy-sounding idea out there on Thursday, just two days into training camp, per On Pattison’s Tim Kelly.
“I’ve talked to him about maybe taking some fly balls in the outfield because he’s really athletic and see how he is with that,” Thomson said, per Kelly. “So, you know, we’re gonna just try some different things.”
Apparently, Realmuto is receptive to the idea, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki.
“I’m sure I’ll shag some balls at some point,” Realmuto said, per Zolecki. “Like he [Thomson] said, it was just an idea. But at the end of the day … whatever gives us the best chance to win, I’ll give it a shot.”
The Phillies signed veteran Max Kepler this winter and see him as their everyday left fielder. But he’s another left-handed bat, so the Phillies might want to keep Realmuto’s right-handed bat in the lineup a times.
Realmuto willing to try left field even in a contract year
The strangest thing about this — aside from possibly seeing a three-time All-Star who has logged almost 9,800 innings behind the plate in the outfield in a MLB game — is that Realmuto is heading into a contract year. With likely one more shot at a lucrative multi-year deal next winter, assuming he doesn’t sign an extension, Realmuto’s willingness to try something completely different is honorable.
“I want to win,” Realmuto said, per Zolecki. “At the end of the day, if the Phillies win and we have a good season, the contract stuff is going to take care of itself.”
Realmuto has played in the field before, but never in the outfield in a professional game. He has played 263 innings at first base in the majors. He also played six innings at third for the Miami Marlins’ Rookie ball team.
Whether this gets past the idea phase, or past Realmuto shagging fly balls on the back fields at the Phillies’ spring training complex, remains to be seen. Even if it does, and we see Realmuto patrolling left field during Grapefruit League action, it’s hard to imagine this crazy idea translating into time in left field at Citizens Bank Park during the regular season. But crazier things have happened.
