Major League Baseball's spring training season is beginning to wind down, and the regular season looms around the corner (finally). While it has been a relatively uneventful spring training for the defending NL East champions, question marks still remain about who the Philadelphia Phillies will pick for the final few open roster spots for Opening Day.
Coming into camp, it was assumed that there was one bullpen spot open, a bench spot (or two) up for grabs and a battle between backup catchers. The rest of the roster has been pretty much set since Day 1. Reliever Matt Strahm's shoulder injury may have opened up an extra bullpen job to begin the season, but it's tough being a fringe player on a veteran-laden team like the Phillies, who are eyeing World Series contention again this season.
So, that begs the question: which players have played their way into an Opening Day job? Likewise, who has gone the opposite direction and perhaps played their way out of contention to head North with the team at the end of March?
2 Phillies players who've played their way onto the Opening Day roster
Johan Rojas, OF
The enigma that is Johan Rojas continues to confound observers. After an impressive showing in the Dominican Winter League this offseason, the talented defensive center fielder came to camp without a guaranteed job. Rojas struggled at the plate in 2024, slashing a light .243/.279/.322. He even spent some time working things out in Triple-A.
The Phillies don't expect Rojas to slug, but to be effective with his top-tier speed, he has to get on base. That .279 mark won't cut it. So far this spring, the 24-year-old has looked good and swung a surprisingly potent bat. After the Phillies' game on Thursday, Rojas is hitting .280/.357/.560 with a pair of home runs and seven RBI in 25 at-bats.
Let's go Ro!! pic.twitter.com/Al0a9hapdc
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) February 27, 2025
Ironically, the one thing that might hold Rojas back is a shoulder issue that has kept him from playing the outfield thus far. After jamming it while sliding in winter ball, he's in the process of building back up and has been relegated to DH duties thus far. The team still says he'll be ready for Opening Day, and we know once he gets out to center field, his defense won't be a problem. If he's good to go, he has done enough to earn the fourth outfielder job.
Kody Clemens, INF/OF
Woo boy! Kody Clemens came into camp as a perceived underdog for the final bench spot behind Weston Wilson. Now that Wilson is out of the Opening Day picture with an unfortunate oblique injury, Clemens' play is forcing the Phillies' hand to put him on the roster.
He has 11 hits in 29 at-bats, carrying a .379 batting average and a 1.090 OPS. With two homers, a double, a triple, six runs and five RBI, Clemens has been all over the scoresheet in his 12 games. Even though Clemens is a left-handed hitter, and the Phillies have been looking for right-handed bats, manager Rob Thomson can't ignore what the 28-year-old has done this spring.
Clemens, who has been with the Phillies organization since being acquired via trade in January 2023, has had some big moments for the Phillies. That history might just be enough to break any deadlock with other competitors for the final bench spot.
2 Phillies players who've played their way off the Opening Day roster
Cal Stevenson, OF
While Clemens has been raking so far this spring, his main competition for the final Opening Day bench spot has struggled to get going at the plate. Cal Stevenson is one of the players thought to have a chance this spring, but with a minor league option remaining he would have had to knock the Phillies' collective socks off.
It hasn't transpired that way for the 28-year-old outfielder. Despite being given plenty of opportunities, he has only picked up four hits in 26 at-bats for a .115 batting average and a .387 OPS. With 13 strikeouts to four walks, Stevenson appears destined to begin the season in Triple-A Lehigh Valley as a depth piece.
Buddy Kennedy, INF/OF
Infielder Buddy Kennedy, who is learning to play the outfield this spring, was one of the presumed finalists for the last bench job coming into camp. With no minor league options remaining, he's in a tough position this season, and his slow start at the plate likely hasn't helped his case.
It's not all doom and gloom, however, for the 26-year-old who hails from Millville, New Jersey. He has only four hits in 21 Grapefruit League at-bats, but three of them are long balls, and the fourth is a double. So while his .190 batting average isn't going to impress anyone, his .667 slugging percentage and 1.067 OPS will catch some attention.
As a right-handed bat, Kennedy might be Clemens' biggest threat for Opening Day. If the Phillies try to pass either player through waivers, there's a very good chance another team will claim them, so it will be a tough call.