With the 2023 season fastly approaching, it’s about time for the Major League rosters to be announced. Spring Training has played a significant role in who will be making the Phillies’ 26-man on Opening Day, with players battling it out for some of the final roster spots. Keep in mind; these are not the official 26-man rosters but only our predictions. Here is what we think the Phillies’ Opening Day roster will look like:
Starting Pitchers
- RHP
- Aaron Nola
- Zack Wheeler
- Taijuan Walker
- LHP
- Ranger Suarez
- Michael Plassmeyer
Four of these spots were locks entering Spring Training: Nola, Wheeler, Suarez, and Walker. However, the fifth spot in the Phillies’ rotation has been entirely up for grabs. After losing players like Noah Syndergaard, Zach Eflin, and Kyle Gibson in free agency, Dave Dombrowski was tasked with finding replacements in the rotation. He did that for one of the spots, signing Taijuan Walker to a 4-year, $72,000,000 ($18,000,000 AAV) contract. The fifth spot in the rotation became a competition between young guys during Spring Training. Bailey Falter, Michael Plassmeyer, and MLB’s #1 pitching prospect Andrew Painter were the leading candidates for the job. News broke that Painter has a UCL injury and will be sidelined for about a month, so that eliminates him. Between Falter and Plassmeyer, we believe Plassmeyer will be the fifth guy in this Phillies rotation. He has pitched far better than Falter in Spring Training, and the 2022 season was a big sign that Falter is a great fit in the “double header role.” We expect Michael Plassmeyer to be the full-time fifth starter (until Andrew Painter is ready) and for Bailey Falter to be called up occasionally when needed but pitch most of his games in AAA.
Bullpen
- RHP
- Seranthony Dominguez
- Craig Kimbrel
- Connor Brogdon
- Andrew Bellatti
- Yunior Marte
- LHP
- Jose Alvarado
- Gregory Soto
- Matt Strahm
For the last decade, the Phillies have had one glaring weakness: their bullpen. However, in 2022, the Phillies’ bullpen took a significant leap, and after a few offseason acquisitions, the Phillies look to have one of the best bullpens in baseball. The main reason the Phillies’ bullpen improved so heavily in 2022 was the production of Seranthony Dominguez and the complete turnaround from Jose Alvarado. After Alvarado was sent down to AAA in May of 2022, he made it a mission to turn his production around. He learned a new pitch that quickly became one of the most lethal pitches in the league: his cutter. Pairing his cutter with an already blazing triple-digit fastball is a dangerous sight for opposing hitters. Players like Connor Brogdon and Andrew Bellatti also heavily improved in 2022, with Brogdon specifically becoming one of the most consistent pitchers on the entire roster. New additions like Yunior Marte, veteran Craig Kimbrel, and flamethrowing Gregory Soto will also undoubtedly play huge roles in the success of the Phillies’ bullpen in 2023.
Catchers
- J.T. Realmuto
- Garrett Stubbs
There wasn’t much debate about who would be playing catcher for the Fightins in 2023. Having the best catcher in baseball and potentially the best backup catcher in baseball is a massive advantage that the Phillies are lucky to own. J.T. Realmuto is undeniably the best catcher in all of baseball. From his elite plate production to his elite defense behind the plate, there’s no competition. Garrett Stubbs is an absolute gem. Stubbs brings some much-needed energy to the Phillies bullpen and is a definite fan favorite in Philadelphia. Stubbs also has a very underrated lefty bat that shines on Realmuto’s off days (which rarely happen, by the way). Look out for these two to continue to be the best catching duo in baseball behind home plate at Citizens Bank Park in 2023.
Infielders
- First Base
- Rhys Hoskins
- Darick Hall
- Second Base
- Bryson Stott
- Shortstop
- Trea Turner
- Third Base
- Alec Bohm
- Utility
- Edmundo Sosa
- Josh Harrison
There isn’t much surprise here, with almost every one of these guys being a lock for the 26-man roster. However, the name Darick Hall may throw some fans off, though it’s pretty evident that he’s a perfect candidate for a bench bat. With Bryce Harper due to be sidelined until at least the all-star break, Hall perfectly fills the role of a power-hitting lefty and has even shown signs of hitting for contact. So far in Spring Training, Hall has hit .346, with 4 HR and 7 RBI, and a 1.260 OPS. Another guy having an outstanding Spring is Edmundo Sosa. Sosa has hit .526, with 4 HR and 8 RBI, and a 1.820 OPS. Yes, those stats are real. Sosa is becoming the ultimate utility man, even learning to play the outfield in the offseason, and looks to be the perfect backup to new Phillie Trea Turner. Being signed to an 11-year, $300,000,000 ($27,272,727 AAV) contract, Turner looks to complete an infield that lost fan-favorite Jean Segura in the offseason.
Outfielders
- Left Field
- Kyle Schwarber
- Jake Cave
- Center Field
- Brandon Marsh
- Right Field
- Nick Castellanos
The outfield looks to be the exact same as it was in 2022, and the addition of Jake Cave as a backup outfielder will be huge for Philadelphia in the 2023 season. Jake Cave is a name many fans may not know, but the longtime Minnesota Twin has looked good in Spring Training. So far in Spring, Cave has hit .409, with 2 HR and 6 RBI, and a 1.367 OPS, and some great fielding in left. Cave also has a cannon for an arm. Kyle Schwarber looks to continue his elite power production in 2023, while Brandon Marsh looks to have a breakout season. Nick Castellanos definitely had a down year in 2022, and if he can produce how we all know he can in 2023, this outfield becomes even more dangerous.
Injured List
- Bryce Harper
We couldn’t not mention Bryce Harper when talking about the Phillies roster. Harper is projected to be out of action until at least the all-star break in 2023, but when he comes back, the Phillies’ lineup immediately becomes stronger. Gaining a two-time MVP is absolutely an advantage. However, when Harper inevitably returns, one name from this list will most likely be sent down to AAA or could potentially be traded. We don’t know who that player will be, but until Harper returns, the bench guys will have to “play to stay,” if you will. Fans everywhere are excited for Harper to eventually play in 2023, especially fans located in Philadelphia.
