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Phillies: An early projection of the 2018 major-league roster

By John Town |
SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 13: Bob McClure #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies makes a pitching change during the seventh inning of the Spring Training Game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 13, 2017 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. Baltimore defeated Philadelphia 6-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 13: Bob McClure #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies makes a pitching change during the seventh inning of the Spring Training Game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 13, 2017 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. Baltimore defeated Philadelphia 6-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
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SARASOTA, FL – MARCH 13: Bob McClure #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies makes a pitching change during the seventh inning of the Spring Training Game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 13, 2017 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. Baltimore defeated Philadelphia 6-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
SARASOTA, FL – MARCH 13: Bob McClure #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies makes a pitching change during the seventh inning of the Spring Training Game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 13, 2017 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. Baltimore defeated Philadelphia 6-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

With some moves already made and spring training a month and a half away, let’s take an early look at what the Phillies 2018 roster will look like.

It’s the dead of winter right now with just under six weeks left before Phillies pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Clearwater, Fla. The team will certainly look very different compared to spring training last year with a new manager and several of the expected starters from last year no longer on the team.

There are still some moves that could be made before spring training gets underway, but for now let’s take a look at how the roster could shake out as it stands now.

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Starting Rotation

  1. Aaron Nola
  2. Jerad Eickhoff
  3. Vince Velasquez
  4. Nick Pivetta
  5. Ben Lively

This is the position group that could still see some significant overhaul in the next month and a half. The rotation last year was a complete dumpster fire, and general manager Matt Klentak expressed his desire to improve the rotation, probably through trade.

Nola flashed ace potential in 2017 and finished out the year healthy, so he will definitely be at the top of the rotation. From there, things get iffy.

Eickhoff had a strong first year and a half of his career in the majors before his command started to falter and injuries took their toll last year. While his 2017 was a disappointment, it’s not enough to give up on him yet.

Velasquez had his struggles with command and injury yet again in 2017, ending the year on the disabled list with a vascular issue. He is expected to be ready for spring training. The front office still wants to try him as a starter, so he should still get a spot.

The last two spots in the rotation are wide open and could go to any one of a large group of players. Pivetta made the second-most starts of any Phillie last year and has potential, while Lively was the most consistent and had the team’s only complete game.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 23: Luis Garcia #57 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the ninth inning during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on July 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 23: Luis Garcia #57 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the ninth inning during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on July 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

Bullpen

  1. Hector Neris (Closer)
  2. Luis Garcia
  3. Adam Morgan
  4. Pat Neshek
  5. Tommy Hunter
  6. Mark Leiter
  7. Hoby Milner
  8. Edubray Ramos

New manager Gabe Kapler and GM Matt Klentak have both expressed interest in carrying an eight-man bullpen, following the recent trend of building deeper bullpens and holding a shorter leash of the rotation. In fairness, with how the rotation stands now, the team will likely need a deeper bullpen.

The core of the bullpen should be quite strong. Neris, Garcia, and Morgan all had strong second halves last year. Klentak signed Neshek and Hunter to bolster the back end, and both of them should do that after career years in 2017.

Leiter served as the team’s swing man and long reliever last year well and should return to that role. Milner gives the team another lefty in relief for days when Morgan can’t pitch. Ramos had a rough start to the 2017 season but found himself after a demotion to Triple-A. The Phillies can certainly do worse for an eighth reliever.

MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 16: Andrew Knapp #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies grounds out in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 16, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 16: Andrew Knapp #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies grounds out in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 16, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Catchers

  1. Jorge Alfaro
  2. Andrew Knapp

This is where things start to get messy. The Phils have three major-league catchers on their roster, but will likely only carry two on their roster. Alfaro doesn’t have any more options left, so he will be in the majors. This leaves a debate between Knapp and Cameron Rupp.

Ultimately, I think the team tries to shop Rupp and keep Knapp as their backup. They can sell Rupp’s starting experience from the last two years to some team. Rupp hits for more power than Knapp, but that comes at the cost of a significantly lower batting average and on-base percentage. Philadelphia is showing a preference for high-OBP players, which Knapp is and Rupp isn’t.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 04: Cesar Hernandez #16 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by teammates after scoring on a double by Odubel Herrera #37 during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants in a game at Citizens Bank Park on June 4, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 04: Cesar Hernandez #16 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by teammates after scoring on a double by Odubel Herrera #37 during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants in a game at Citizens Bank Park on June 4, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Infielders

  1. Carlos Santana
  2. Cesar Hernandez
  3. J.P. Crawford
  4. Maikel Franco
  5. Pedro Florimon
  6. Jesmuel Valentin

The starting infield for this season is pretty clear with Santana at first, Hernandez is second, Crawford at short, and Franco at third. The trade of Freddy Galvis cleared up the middle infield at least until Scott Kingery is ready for the majors.

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With most of the team’s bench players from last year no longer with the team, any bench spots are up in the air. Florimon is a likely candidate for one spot after a strong stint in the majors last year before dislocating his ankle. He played nearly every position on the field and would be the ideal utility man.

The other spot on the bench could go to several players, including some of the non-roster invitees.

In the end, Valentin may win out for the sole fact that he is already on the 40-man roster, making it easier to bring him to the majors. Kingery will have his spot at second base in Lehigh Valley, so the club may want him on the bench in the majors rather than in Triple-A.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 13: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies high fives Nick Williams #5 after scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on September 13, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 13: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies high fives Nick Williams #5 after scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on September 13, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Outfielders

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  1. Rhys Hoskins
  2. Odubel Herrera
  3. Nick Williams
  4. Aaron Altherr

The outfield has become the most controversial position group since the team signed Carlos Santana, moving Hoskins to the outfield. There are now four starting-caliber outfielders for three spots. If this was the American League, Santana would be the designated hitter and everything would be fine; unfortunately, it is not.

There is a strong chance one of the players in this group gets traded for a starting pitcher between now and spring training.

Most expect it to be Altherr or Williams, but Herrera’s name still comes up in that discussion.

As the group stands now, without any trades, Hoskins will start in left, Herrera in center, and Altherr and Williams will split time in right, maybe in a platoon.

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With an eighth reliever on the team, there isn’t room on the roster for a fifth outfielder. However, Pedro Florimon played all three outfield positions last year and can do so again this year in a pinch.

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