While the city is still experiencing the excitement of a Super Bowl Championship, the Phillies bring their own championship aspirations into the 2025 season.
Despite no wholesale changes being made compared to last year’s roster, the Phillies did add some pieces.
They signed Max Kepler to take over in left field on an everyday basis, and they added closer Jordan Romano. Kepler will be a nice addition to the bottom of the lineup, adding veteran experience to the roster. Kepler spent the previous 10 years of his career in Minnesota with the Twins.
The Phillies lost both Carlos Estevez and Jeff Hoffman to free agency, meaning the bullpen took some hits this offseason. However, the signing of former Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano will give the Phillies another weapon out of the bullpen. I also expect Orion Kerkering to get some opportunities in high-leverage situations this season.
While the Phillies have decided to roll out practically the same roster as last year, some minor changes and the development of some younger players can put this team right back into the thick of October baseball.
1) Elite Starting Rotation
A baseball team can only go as far as its pitching will take them, and the Phillies should have no concerns about the starting staff. Zach Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Christopher Sanchez, and Jesus Luzardo will be the starting five when the season opens up in just a few weeks. Zach Wheeler is expected to be the opening day starter for the second consecutive season. The Phillies rotation remains the same as last year with the addition of Jesus Luzardo, who the Phillies acquired from the Marlins during the offseason. The Phillies gave up two prospects for the 27-year-old lefty who hopes to find his footing in the MLB. Ranger Suarez and Christopher Sanchez both had strong years in 2024 as well. If Suarez and Sanchez stay healthy and consistent, this pitching staff could anchor this baseball team.
The actual question mark of the rotation is the fifth spot.
If Luzardo doesn’t work out, the Phillies can expect top prospect Andrew Painter to be ready sometime in mid-June to July. Painter is recovering from Tommy John surgery he had a year and a half ago. The Phillies have been super careful with the rehab of their top prospect they drafted in the first round of the 2021 MLB draft. Painter will be 22 when he makes his MLB debut for the Phillies sometime this year. Painter’s debut will be the most anticipated for a Phillies pitching prospect since Aaron Nola’s debut in 2015. With the additions of both Jesus Luzardo and Andrew Painter at some point during the season, the Phillies’ starting pitching is arguably better than last year’s.
2) The Day Care Grows Up
A major part of the Phillies’ success in 2025 will stem from the contributions of the younger guys. Players like Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, Brandon Marsh, and Johan Rojas will all be key contributors to the Phillies’ success or lack thereof in 2025. Alec Bohm is the name I am most excited to watch out of this group. While he had a rough end to last season, there is no doubt he can be a top third baseman in the national league. Bohm this spring has already hit 3 home runs and looks to have added some more power to his swing. If the Phillies could get 25-30 home runs out of Bohm, that would be a massive boost to the offense.
For Bryson Stott, this season is also a crucial one. In 2023, Stott hit .280 in his second MLB season. In 2024, I expected Stott to jump to .290 and maybe even flirt with .300. Stott struggled in the second half and finished the season hitting .245. 35 points worse than 2023. We now know the struggles could’ve been related to an elbow issue he was dealing with during the second half of the season. In 2025, Stott’s at-bats will be crucial to the lower half of the Phillies’ order. Stott’s defense has never been questioned, so if he can return to his .280 form, he will provide another spark for this Phillies lineup.
While Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas will split time in the outfield, these two players will be key contributors to the lineup this season. We can expect to see Marsh play against righties a lot this year, with his splits always favoring him against righties. For Rojas, this season will be an important one for his development. While there is no denying how good Rojas is defensively, his struggles at the plate the last two years have put the Phillies in difficult spots. Rojas has put together a good spring, hitting 2 home runs. It’s encouraging to see him driving the ball more. If he can add some pop to his bat, even if it’s just doubles or triples with his speed, Rojas can become a vital part of a Phillies playoff run.
Overall, the younger guys’ offensive growth will be key to their success or failure in the playoffs. After the spring performances of Bohm and Rojas, I am very confident that those two will find a way to improve this upcoming season.
3) Different Approach
Last week, Rob Thompson confirmed that IF Trea Turner leads off, Bryce Harper will bat second. This would move Schwarber to the three or four spot on the lineup. In my opinion, this is exactly what the Phillies need to do. This isn’t an idea they are doing for fun; they desperately need to change their approach.
We all saw the lack of hitting in the second half and playoffs last season. This new approach, I believe, will generate more runs and, in turn, result in more wins. I don’t know why Trea Turner hasn’t been leading off since we signed him. With Turner leading off, this also gives him more opportunities to steal bases. If this is the lineup Rob Thompson rolls out a lot this season, I expect Turner to steal at least 40 bases, if not 50. Having your best hitter in the two spot is not a bad decision at all, and I think Harper would thrive in that spot. Batting Bohm third would be interesting since having Schwarber behind him will protect him. Schwarber hitting cleanup will force pitchers to pitch to him more and hopefully not walk him as much.
The rest of the order could go anyway, depending on what Rob Thompson wants that specific day. I could see Castellanos, Realmuto, Stott, and Kepler being the four guys that flip-flop throughout the year. I always see Rojas bat 9th whenever he is in the lineup. I’m curious to see where Brandon Marsh will bat when he is in the lineup.
Opening Day
The Phillies open the season on Thursday, March 27, in Washington to take on the Nationals. The first pitch for opening day is scheduled for 4:05 pm.
This team has the potential to win 90+ games and reclaim the NL East crown.
For that to happen, the pitching needs to remain healthy, and the Phillies need contributions from star players to platoons.
While some fans are upset that no wholesale changes have been made, sometimes the best fixes come from the smallest adjustments.
PHOTO: Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images
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