Here are several possibilities that fans will not want to see as we approach the 2025 season. The Philadelphia Phillies have begun their spring training. Pitchers and catchers have reported to the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater, Florida, and full squad workouts are scheduled to begin on February 17. The organization will prepare for the start of the 2025 regular season with their first spring training game on February 22 against the Detroit Tigers.
Before the regular season begins, Philadelphia players compete for backup berths. Some players may surprisingly make the club’s Opening Day roster. However, there may be developments that affect the squad during spring training that are detrimental in nature.
Phillies cannot afford these three nightmare scenarios to begin the 2025 MLB season.
Taijuan Walker ends up in the starting rotation.
Taijuan Walker had an awful 2024 season. He struggled with injuries and was not a strong pitcher in the Phillies’ starting rotation. Manager Rob Thomson moved him from the rotation to the bullpen, and the right-hander missed the playoffs for the second straight season.
Dave Dombrowski, Philadelphia’s president of baseball operations, stated in October that Walker would have to earn a spot in the rotation during spring training. The Phillies acquired pitcher Jesús Luzardo from the Miami Marlins in December. He appears to be the fifth starter entering the regular season.
Andrew Painter, a top prospect, is on schedule to make his major league debut this summer. The right-hander would be another starter in the Phillies’ rotation, giving the team six options if the other starters stay healthy.
Walker faces an uphill battle to be considered a reliable starter for Philadelphia. If one of their other starting pitchers is placed on the injured list early in the regular season, reliever/spot starter Joe Ross may have an advantage over him in terms of starting opportunities.
It would not benefit the Phillies to sustain multiple injuries to their starting pitchers. They are set to fight with the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets for first in the NL East and Wild Card playoff positions and do not want to get off to a slow start in the regular season. Max Kepler doesn’t look like a starting outfielder The Phillies chose not to add one of the top free agents to a multi-year this offseason due to additional penalties they would suffer. One of the position groups lacking depth on the club entering spring training is the outfield. Philadelphia signed free agent Max Kepler to a one-year contract this offseason. While the Phillies are counting on him to be their left fielder, he has not played there since 2015 in the minors. The Minnesota Twins used him at center and right field in his 10 seasons. There may be an adjustment for him to play left field again in spring
Right fielder Nick Castellanos appeared in every regular season game in 2024 and may require an occasional day off this year. Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas are expected to platoon in center field. Kepler and Marsh may also share time in left field. Weston Wilson can play infield and outfield, although he has yet to establish himself as a long-term starter. Kyle Schwarber has become the Phillies’ full-time designated hitter.
Kepler also has to improve his attacking performance in 2025 compared to last year. According to Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com, his barrel and hard-hit percentages have deteriorated from his career highs in 2023. His barrel rate fell from 12.2 percent to 6.2 percent, while his hard-hit rate went from 47.9 percent to 36.8 percent. He hit 24 home runs with 66 RBI in 2023 compared to eight homers and 42 RBI last year. The Phillies need him to have offensive numbers similar to two years ago to be considered a more dependable hitter in their lineup. Garrett Stubbs beats Rafael Marchán for the backup catcher spot There will be a competition for the backup catcher position to starter J.T. Realmuto. Garrett Stubbs will compete with Rafael Marchán for the spot after the reserve catcher has seen a dip in his OPS over the last two seasons. After posting a career-high .812 OPS in 50 contests during his first year with the Phillies in 2022, Stubbs posted an OPS of .557 in 41 games in 2023. The 31-year-old compiled a .558old
Marchán has no minor league options remaining, whereas Stubbs does. The San Cristobal, Venezuela native must clear waivers if the Phillies return him to the minors this season.
Marchán, on the other hand, has had several injuries in recent seasons, the majority of which have occurred in Philadelphia’s minor league system. His lack of durability appears to be his main impediment to become the club’s backup catcher in 2025.
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