Phillies Nuggets: Opening Day 26-man roster projection 2.0

Managing Editor

Monday, February 17, 2025

Jun 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Edmundo Sosa (33) celebrates with Poutfield Brandon March after hitting a solo home run in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports Tommy Gilligan

CLEARWATER — The Phillies will open the 2025 season at 4:05 against the Washington Nationals on March 27. Here's the second projection of what the 26-man roster will look like on Opening Day.

Starting DH (1): Kyle Schwarber

Schwarber will be the primary DH for the Phillies, but will almost certainly see more time in the field after logging just 41 defensive innings a season ago. Left field is the most likely spot for Schwarber to get some occasional reps at, but he's working at first base early in spring as well.

Starting Catcher (1): J.T. Realmuto

A lot of the same said about Schwarber can be written for Realmuto. Not only are both entering contract years, but the Phillies are going to manage his workload behind the plate a little bit more than they have in the past. Set to turn 34 in March, that will likely mean some time at first base and DH in 2025. Rob Thomson floated the idea of Realmuto taking some fly balls in left field, although it would be surprising if he ends up playing there in an actual game.

J.T. Realmuto: “At the end of the day, I’ll do whatever it takes for this team to win. So if he wants me to go out there and stand on my head, I’ll try to do that.”

(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/WM7GHnk0r1
— On Pattison (@OnPattison) February 15, 2025

Starting Infielders (4): Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm

This is pretty much chalk. Bohm's name was mentioned in trade rumors for much of the offseason, but he didn't ultimately get dealt.

Alec Bohm talks to @TimKellySports about his positive mindset in Spring Training. pic.twitter.com/A18Y93MZ8z
— On Pattison (@OnPattison) February 13, 2025

Starting Outfielders (3): Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh, Max Kepler

Marsh was a Gold Glove finalist in left field a year ago, so that's his best position. But Kepler — who has 48 career defensive runs saved in right field — will be shifting to left field so that Castellanos can stay in right field. Marsh has the athleticism to play center field, but has struggled at times in his career to take command of the outfield like you should at that position.

Bench (4): Rafael Marchán, Edmundo Sosa, Johan Rojas, Kody Clemens

Marchán is out of minor-league options, so if he's healthy, he's almost certainly going to be the backup catcher.
Sosa is an excellent utility infielder, and the Phillies are getting him work in the outfield this spring. If he proves he's capable of playing center field, the Phillies might be able to carry him as their backup at that position. Center field is obviously a difficult position, though.
Not to say that Sosa couldn't end up being playable in center field, but if things don't work out for him in the outfield, the Phillies will need to carry another center fielder. Rojas — an elite defender that did show some offensive improvements in the Dominican Winter League — would be that guy.
Clemens' case for the Opening Day roster is hurt by the fact that he's a left-handed hitter on a team with so many lefties. With that said, he's had some big hits in small spurts over each of the last two seasons and can play multiple infield positions, and potentially left field. The guess here is that the Phillies would like to keep him if possible.

Starting Rotation (5): Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez, Jesús Luzardo

Because the Phillies' Opening Day rotation is expected to include three lefties, Thomson has hinted that he will break up both the righties, and probably not have Sánchez and Luzardo pitch back-to-back in the rotation. Wheeler, Sánchez, Nola, Suárez and Luzardo would be a good prediction on the order to open 2025. Remember, No. 1 prospect Andrew Painter is also looming.

Bullpen (8): Jordan Romano, Matt Strahm, José Alvarado, Orion Kerkering, Tanner Banks, Joe Ross, José Ruiz, Nabil Crismatt

The Phillies aren't going to name a closer, but Romano has 105 career saves, so if he's healthy he'll probably get the first crack.
A year after saying he thought he looked "fucking fat" during a Spring Training interview, Alvarado looks significantly sleeker this February.
There's really only one spot up for grabs in this bullpen barring any injuries. Crismatt impressed Thomson in a live batting practice session early in camp and did post a 2.94 ERA in 50 games for the 2022 San Diego Padres.

In case you’re wondering, José Alvarado still throws incredibly hard. @OnPattison pic.twitter.com/kBS4Gjb3F8
— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) February 14, 2025

Notable Names Left Off Of Opening Day Roster Projection

1. Weston Wilson: This was the hardest guy to leave off because he mashed left-handed pitching last season and the Phillies need more right-handed options. He's going to play a role for the Phillies in 2025, but it doesn't sound like the Phillies view him as someone who could be their backup center fielder, which might keep him off the Opening Day roster. Also, he, unlike Clemens, has a remaining minor-league option.

2. Garrett Stubbs: Even though he's been the backup catcher to Realmuto for the last three seasons, Stubbs could end up at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025. He has one option left, and Marchán does not.

3. Taijuan Walker: He looks jacked and said he feels good after a full offseason doing the weighted ball program. Unless there's an injury, though, there isn't a spot for him in the starting rotation. And it's not clear if he would be someone the Phillies would use a bullpen spot on. Walker is well-respected by all of his teammates, but his time in Philly may be up. That could mean he's designated for assignment and released or traded. Either scenario would likely involve the Phillies eating most or all of the $36 million he's owed through 2026.

4. Koyo Aoyagi: The 31-year-old is willing to go to Triple-A if he doesn't make the Opening Day roster. Just from a strategic sense, having him go down and keeping someone like Crismatt might make sense. Of course, how, if at all, the Phillies proceed with the Japanese righty will depend upon what he looks like in camp.

5. Buddy Kennedy: The Millville native was a great story in the 21 at-bats he got a year ago with the Phillies. He's out of minor-league options, though, and probably needs a lot to break in his favor to remain with the organization beyond Spring Training.

6. Cal Stevenson: Unlike Kennedy, Stevenson has one remaining minor-league option, which means he's overwhelmingly likely to open the season at Triple-A. With that said, the 28-year-old had six hits and six RBIs in in 24 at-bats last year, so he could very well make an impact for the Phillies when an injury occurs.

Koyo Aoyagi is throwing his first bullpen as a Phillie. Among those watching are Dave Dombrowski, Preston Mattingly, Jorge Velandia, Rob Thomson, Caleb Cotham and J.T. Realmuto. pic.twitter.com/KWUkjcyCUv
— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) February 16, 2025