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Phillies updated 2018 roster projection: Who’s in, who’s out?

By John Town

SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 13: Chris Coghlan #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with his teammates on the single by Howie Kendrick (not in photo) during the first inning of the Spring Training Game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 13, 2017 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 13: Chris Coghlan #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with his teammates on the single by Howie Kendrick (not in photo) during the first inning of the Spring Training Game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 13, 2017 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 18: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs walks off the field after the top of the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on October 18, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Starting Pitchers

Signing Jake Arrieta seemingly set the starting rotation. However, Jerad Eickhoff’s injury leaves them with a hole in their rotation yet again. They need someone to fill Eickhoff’s spot, so the competition is back on.

Ultimately, this is how I see the rotation panning out:

  1. Aaron Nola
  2. Jake Arrieta
  3. Vince Velasquez
  4. Nick Pivetta
  5. Zach Eflin

Pivetta was an early favorite in camp and most on the beat agreed early on he was set to take a rotation spot. Before Arrieta was signed, Ben Lively seemed to be the top candidate for the final spot. He could be the one that does so, but Matt Breen of Philly.com indicated that Eflin is the favorite for the final spot.

General manager Matt Klentak said Friday that the team may start the year with four starters as they don’t need a fifth until April 11. If Arrieta isn’t ready for Opening Day, he could remain in extended spring training as he uses those extra two weeks or so to ramp up to a regular-season workload.

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