The Philadelphia Phillies are prepping for the start of the regular season. Much of the roster remains at spring training, while some players have left to participate in the World Baseball Classic. Which players are off to good starts early in the spring and which aren't?
Whether a player does or doesn't do well in spring training is not an indication of how he'll do during the first couple of months of the season. However, it's still a topic worth discussing as we wait for the start of the season. It's encouraging if a player who'll have a starting role on the club does well heading into the regular season, and enters the campaign with momentum.
2 Phillies off to hot starts in spring training
Bryson Stott
No other Phillies positional player is doing as well as Bryson Stott so far this spring. He's been on fire. The second baseman has gone 7-for-10 with one double, two home runs, and four RBI. He's slashing .700/.750/1.400 with an amazing 2.150 OPS in six Grapefruit League contests.
Stotty goes oppo! pic.twitter.com/yjut4k0MeQ
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) February 26, 2026
The only concern at this point is how Stott will do at the start of the regular season. Plenty of recent Phillies players in previous spring trainings - Whit Merrifield in 2024, and Max Kepler and Jordan Romano last year come to mind - all performed well in the spring, and their successes didn't translate over to the regular season.
Stott's adjustment at the plate from last year is still paying off so far. The left-handed hitter has had some success hitting left-handed pitching this spring. Hopefully, it'll lead to a good season offensively where he can be a reliable hitter in the middle of Philadelphia's lineup.
Seth Johnson
While he's unlikely to make the Phillies' Opening Day roster, Seth Johnson has been one of their most impressive pitchers so far in spring training. He has a 1.59 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP, compiling two strikeouts and allowing one earned run, three hits, and four walks in five and 2/3 innings across five games.
Johnson has excelled this spring due to an increase in his pitch velocity. On Feb. 24, the top 10 fastest pitches thrown by any Phillie this spring all belonged to him.
He has a minor league option this season, making it likely he begins the season with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in Triple-A, barring multiple injuries in the Phillies bullpen between now and the start of the regular season. His success so far this spring is encouraging for his chances of being promoted to Philadelphia over a long season, as well as excelling when he gets here.
1 Phillies player struggling in spring training
Johan Rojas
Things aren't going well for Johan Rojas. The center fielder faces a potential 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. He is appealing the decision.
The 25-year-old can still play while the appeal is pending. He was initially on the Dominican Republic's roster for the World Baseball Classic, but dropped out before news of his suspension came to light.
Rojas isn't doing well offensively in spring training; he's 1-for-17 with six strikeouts and slashed a .059/.111/.059 line with a .170 OPS in six Grapefruit League games. He's competing for a bench spot, but utility player Dylan Moore may have the edge due to his defensive versatility in the infield and outfield. Rojas is also being outperformed offensively this spring by other reserve outfielders, like Pedro León and Bryan De La Cruz.
While Rojas is known more for his defense, it doesn't help that other outfielders in the mix for a backup role during the regular season are doing better than him at the plate. His potential suspension only makes matters worse for him in terms of his role this year with Philadelphia.