Phillies Opening Day is quickly approaching, and here are the latest predictions for the club’s 25 Man Roster.
Spring training brought few competitions for the Phillies in Clearwater with the majority of the starting jobs secured by either veterans or established youth.
The majority of the competition came in the bullpen and on the bench, with the search for a power bat being the primary focus.
Thanks to Brock Stassi and Ryan Hanigan having breakout springs the roster projections have been much easier than originally thought.
Here’re the 25 men who will suit up in red and white pinstripes for the Phils as spring training comes to a close.
Catchers: Cameron Rupp, Ryan Hanigan
First Base: Tommy Joseph, Brock Stassi
Second Base: Cesar Hernandez
Third Base: Maikel Franco
Shortstop: Freddy Galvis, Andres Blanco
Outfield: Howie Kendrick, Odubel Herrera, Michael Saunders, Aaron Altherr, Chris Coghlan
Starting Rotation: Jeremy Hellickson, Clay Buchholz, Jerad Eickhoff, Aaron Nola, Vincent Velasquez
Bullpen: Pat Neshek, Jeanmar Gomez, Joaquin Benoit, Hector Neris, Adam Morgan, Edubray Ramos, Pat Vindette
Picking apart the bench became difficult after Stassi and Hanigan. Altherr’s versatility has helped his case despite a weak bat, and Chris Coghlan has done enough to sneak his way on.
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With that, the bench looks as follows: Ryan Hanigan, Brock Stassi, Andres Blanco, Aaron Altherr, Chris Coghlan.
Adding Clay Buchholz has knocked Zach Eflin back to Triple-A but the big righty will certainly be the first to get a call if needed.
Adam Morgan becomes the lefty specialist in the bullpen, and the recently-acquired “switch-pitcher” Pat Vindette will put, as Bill Giles used to say, “butts in seats.”
Edubray Ramos will be a quality set up man working with veterans Pat Neshek and Joaquin Benoit, who can spell closer Jeanmar Gomez if needed.
Not much will change, but jobs can still be won leading up to the first game of the season in Cincinnati.