That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Attempting to answer 15 key roster questions about the 2022 Phillies

By Gabrielle Starr

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 22: Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies runs in the outfield before the start of a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on June 22, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 22: Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies runs in the outfield before the start of a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on June 22, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Phillies Bryce Harper
Mar 22, 2022; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) warms up before the start of the game against the Detroit Tigers during spring training at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

The Phillies lineup

11. Will Nick Castellanos, Bryce Harper, or Kyle Schwarber lead the team in home runs?

Bryce Harper no longer has to carry the Phillies lineup, and it’s a welcome change. He hit 35 homers last season, while Nick Castellanos hit 34, and Kyle Schwarber had 32.

Hopefully, it’s a three-way tie between them, with 40 homers apiece. Imagine that.

12. When will Bryson Stott make his Phillies debut?

In less than a week, we’ll know if Bryson Stott is on the Phillies’ Opening Day roster. He and Alec Bohm have been competing all spring, though until Friday’s game, Bohm looked like a lock to start the season on the bench or in Triple-A.

Stott has more than earned a spot on the big-league roster. The only question is when he’ll get it.

13. What will happen to Alec Bohm?

Speaking of Bohm, will he find his NL Rookie of the Year runner-up form again? He hit a nice bomb on Friday afternoon, but has looked totally devastated at the plate for most of spring training. With Bryson Stott proving he can play third as well as shortstop, Bohm is under a new kind of pressure now, and it’s unclear if he can rise to the challenge.

14. Will Bryce Harper have another MVP season?

Gosh, I hope so. He’s slugging away in spring training, with the Phillies even tweeting that MV3 is already in midseason form.

15. Will anyone in the Phillies lineup steal 20+ bases?

In 2021, Harper and J.T. Realmuto tied for the team lead with 13 stolen bases apiece, which was less than a third of how many bags Starling Marte swiped (47) to lead MLB last season.

And that only took him 120 games.

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