Phillies 2023 Opening Day roster projection
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The reigning National League champion Phillies spent the offseason solidifying their roster to the point where they entered Spring Training with seemingly only a few position battles.
Unlike in some recent years, the starting infield and outfield are completely set -- even with the injury to Bryce Harper -- while four rotation spots and seven bullpen pieces are already accounted for, as are three reserve roles. That leaves just four jobs up for grabs this spring: two bench players, one starter and one reliever.
After a few weeks of camp and one full week of Grapefruit League action, here’s MLB.com’s latest prediction for the 2023 Opening Day roster. (Remember, Harper will open the season on the IL following Tommy John surgery in November.)
Catchers (2): J.T. Realmuto and Garrett Stubbs
Realmuto is the best catcher in baseball, according to Johnny Bench and others. Stubbs posted 1.1 WAR as a batter as Realmuto’s backup, making him the most productive Phillies backup catcher (150 or fewer plate appearances) since Todd Pratt (1.3 WAR) in 2002.
First base (2): Rhys Hoskins and Darick Hall
Hoskins has been one of baseball’s most productive hitters since his MLB debut on Aug. 10, 2017. Hall makes the first cut for one of the final two bench jobs because he performed well as the team’s DH for about a month last summer while Harper recovered from a broken left thumb. Hall wasted no time reminding everyone of his potential game-changing power, starting his spring with a towering two-run homer.
Second base (1): Bryson Stott
Stott slashed .286/.338/.418 from Aug. 4 -- when the Phillies released Didi Gregorius to make Stott an everyday player -- through the end of the regular season. Similar production would be more than welcomed at the bottom of the lineup.
Shortstop (1): Trea Turner
The only question about Turner is where manager Rob Thomson places him in the lineup. Thomson said Turner will start the season hitting first, while Harper recovers from Tommy John surgery. Turner could second first after that, which would allow Thomson to split up Kyle Schwarber and Harper.
Third base (1): Alec Bohm
Bohm slashed .293/.326/.422 with a .748 OPS from June 5 through the end of the regular season. The Phillies believe there is more in the tank offensively. He already is showing more power this spring.
Utility infielders (2): Josh Harrison and Edmundo Sosa
Harrison and Sosa, like Stubbs, are locks to make the bench. Both are versatile. Both have big league contracts. The question here is whether Kody Clemens -- who has already played first base, second base, third base and shortstop this spring -- could grab one of the final two bench spots, likely in place of either Hall or Dalton Guthrie. Clemens got off to a hot start this spring, recording a hit in each of his first four appearances, including a pair of home runs. Non-roster invitee Scott Kingery has a chance to make the squad, too. He is not on the 40-man roster, however.
Outfielders (4): Nick Castellanos, Dalton Guthrie, Brandon Marsh and Kyle Schwarber
Castellanos, Schwarber and Marsh are the everyday outfielders, which is not a surprise. Guthrie gets the early nod for one of the final two bench jobs because of his impressive play late in the season. He played so well, in fact, that he even appeared on the Phillies’ NLDS and NLCS rosters, though he got off to a slow start this spring, opening the door for Clemens -- or potentially Jake Cave -- to snag a bench spot.
Starting pitchers (5): Aaron Nola, Bailey Falter, Ranger Suárez, Taijuan Walker and Zack Wheeler
Everybody in the world knows the first four spots are locks with Wheeler, Nola, Suárez and Walker, assuming everybody is healthy. The No. 5 spot? It is easily the most intriguing roster battle this spring -- especially with Andrew Painter’s status suddenly up in the air. Painter was penciled in for the last spot in our initial roster projection -- and he certainly did not disappoint in his spring debut, hitting 99 mph with his fastball and showcasing some of his other offerings that have made him the club’s top prospect -- but he reported some tenderness in his right elbow the following day. The Phillies are still awaiting test results.
Relief pitchers (8): José Alvarado, Andrew Bellatti, Connor Brogdon, Seranthony Domínguez, Craig Kimbrel, Cristopher Sánchez, Gregory Soto and Matt Strahm
It looks like seven of eight bullpen jobs are locked up. If Painter is deemed healthy and earns the rotation nod, it’s certainly possible that Falter nabs the final spot in the ‘pen. But if Falter makes the starting rotation, it could be Sánchez who slides into a multi-inning role out of the ‘pen to begin the year. Nick Nelson and Michael Plassmeyer are also squarely in the mix, while Yunior Marte, Luis Ortiz, Erich Uelmen and Andrew Vasquez are the other 40-man roster players in contention for the job.
