Phillies Future
The 2025 Philadelphia Phillies are coming to a crossroads. After winning the National League East, they were bounced in the playoffs by the New York Mets. Once again, the team did not hit in clutch situations. However, the organization decided to bring
back the same team. The question that needs to be asked, can this team get back to the World Series? Let’s breakdown the complete roster, and see if they have what it takes to win in
2025.
The starting rotation will be led by Zach Wheeler, who finished second in the Cy Young, and is coming off of a 16-win season, and an ERA of 2.57. Wheeler is a work horse, who the
Phillies will have no problem relying on. Aaron Nola, the Phillies #2 starter, won 14 games, but seemed to tire down the stretch, as in his last six starts, Nola went five innings or
less four times. In the third spot of the starting rotation, it should be Cristopher Sanchez. The 28-year-old had a breakout season last year, as he won 11 games with a 3.32 ERA. He seemed to enjoy pitching at home (7-3, 2.21 ERA) compared to on the
road (4-6, 5.02 ERA). Ranger Suarez, the projected #4 starter, won 12 games, but seemed to tire out near the end of the year. Suarez, from June to September, was 3-7 and in the final three months he had ERAs of five and higher. Perhaps, it was too many
innings, or was he not prepared for the long grind of the season? The fifth starter is a question mark. Taijuan Walker was injury prone for most of 2024. The team still owes him about $36 million, and all options are on the table, including outright releasing him. The one pitcher, who the organization is high on is Andrew Painter. Painter, the team’s top prospect, has not
pitched competitively since 2022, but dominated in the AFL this fall, in which he won twice, and had a 2.30 ERA in six games he started. In 15 2/3 innings, Painter struck out 18 while only
walking four.
As for the bullpen, the team seems to be figuring out, who will be here, and who will be gone. Currently, Jeff Hoffmann and Carlos Estevez are both free agents, so right now to start the
season, it will be Jose Alvarado, Orion Kerkering, Jose Ruiz, Matt Strahm, who had an all-star season and Jordan Romano, who the team signed away from Toronto, but is coming off an injury- plagued 2024, which saw his ERA balloon to 6.59. Romano has not
pitched since late May, so this is a risk for the Phillies.
The offense, no question, needs a big rebound year in 2025. Yes, they have a decent amount of players, who can hit home runs, but some had flaws in the second half of the season, and
need to produce. Kyle Schwarber, most likely will be the leadoff hitter. If
Schwarber can duplicate 2024, in which he hit over 30 home runs,
knocked in over 100, walked over 100 times and have an average around .250, I think the fans would be fine with that. Schwarber will be a free-agent at the end of the year. Trea Turner led the team with a .295 average, but struck out once for every five at bats (98 K in 505 AB). Bryce Harper was the most consistent
Phillie in 2024. He batted over .300 four of the six months. He needs to cut down on the strikeouts. In the final two months, Harper struck out 51 times. The catcher, J.T. Realmuto, is
someone to be concerned about. Realmuto, played in 99 games last
year, mainly due to a serious knee injury, and like Schwarber is a UFA at the end of the year. The 33-year-old seems to be slowing down a little behind the plate, and it will be
interesting to see how often he plays in 2025. The backup catcher will be a competition between Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchan, who hit nearly .300 and is out of options. Two players, who have been mentioned in trade rumors this fall/winter, Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos, are both coming off big seasons. Castellanos, had 86 RBI’s in the regular season,
and batted .412 in the playoffs, even though he did get booed at home. As for Bohm, he knocked in 97 runs, while batting .280, although during the playoffs, Bohm was 1-13 (.077), and seemed too aggressive at the plate.
Finally, there are players, who need to rebound this year. Second baseman, Bryson Stott, struggled all year batting .245. Stott recently admitted that he was dealing with an elbow injury
for most of the season. Hopefully, by the time he arrives in Clearwater, Stott is fully healthy. Bigger issues are the two other outfield positions. Brandon Marsh, only hit .249, and had a dreadful second-half of 2024, in which he struck out 81 times in 214 at bats. If Marsh wants to be an everyday hitter, he has to cut down on the strikeouts. The other outfielder, Johan Rojas, batted only .243 in 120 games, and is looking to retool his hitting this winter, as he was told he is not guaranteed a starting role. If Rojas were to struggle this spring, one player to keep an eye on is Justin Crawford. The son of former major leaguer Carl Crawford, batted over .300 throughout his time in the minors, and he is not a power hitter, Crawford is an above average outfielder, and can steal bases, in face the last two years he has stolen over 30 bases each time.
Philadelphia’s window to perhaps win a championship is closing. The Braves, when healthy, are arguably the top team in the division. The Mets went out, and got the biggest marquee
free-agent, in Juan Soto, and will challenge, as well. Also, the Nationals seem to be an upcoming team with youth and talent from within their system. So, it seems that this year is all or nothing for the Phillies.
-Dave Weightman