MLB spring training has begun. The Philadelphia Phillies' pitchers and catchers will have their first workout in Clearwater, Florida, on Feb. 12. The date of the first full-squad workout will be on Feb. 17. After making the 2022 World Series, Philadelphia has come up short of returning to the Fall Classic in the previous two seasons.
The Phillies could be entering their last chance of winning a championship with this experienced roster. J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber and Ranger Suárez are all entering their final season under their current contracts.
The 2025 season is World Series or bust for the Phillies, just as last year was. Philadelphia was inconsistent during the second half of 2024 compared to the first three months. Their erratic play carried over into the playoffs. The club lost in four games in the NLDS to the red-hot New York Mets.
Spring training is worth monitoring to see which players competing for a roster spot make a good impression. The Phillies have some new additions who are aiming to rebound from injury-plagued 2024 seasons. Could they be difference-makers in helping the club reach their goal of winning a World Series this year?
3 must-watch Phillies players during spring training
Rafael Marchán
Philadelphia's third-string catcher, Rafael Marchán, has an opportunity for a bigger role in 2025. He is out of minor-league options, so the Phillies risk losing him to another club if they send him back down during the season.
Marchán may backup starting catcher Realmuto instead of Garrett Stubbs. However, the native of San Cristobal, Venezuela, has struggled to stay healthy during his career. He may play more often in the majors if the Phillies want to give their starting catcher more days off during 2025 to preserve his health.
Marchan's injuries have ranged from a hamstring strain in 2022, a hamate fracture two years ago, and a back ailment and left shoulder impingement last season. He needs to prove he can remain active regularly, beginning in spring training.
He displayed his ability to be considered for the backup catcher position based on his brief time with the Phillies in 2024. Marchán compiled a .294/.345/.549 line with four doubles and six RBI in 51 at-bats over 17 games.
The 25-year-old has an opportunity to prove he is worth consideration for the backup catcher role to Realmuto. If Marchán remains healthy throughout spring training, that would be a good sign of his potential to make the Phillies' Opening Day roster.
Mashed by Marchán#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/Y3jyaAbPOU
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 4, 2024
Jordan Romano
Reliever Jordan Romano agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million contract with Philadelphia in December. Carlos Estévez and Jeff Hoffman were free agents, and the Phillies didn't retain either one. The club needed to add another reliever as a result and chose to sign the former Toronto Blue Jays closer.
The Phillies were able to sign Romano to a team-friendly deal due to the closer's injury-plagued 2024 season. He dealt with right elbow inflammation at the beginning of last season. The 31-year-old debuted in mid-April before being placed on the IL again at the end of May with the same ailment. He missed the remainder of the regular season after a procedure to clean up an impingement.
Romano did excellent in the closer's role for the Blue Jays from 2021-23. He had 23 saves out of 24 opportunities in 2021, followed by successfully converting 36 of 42 save opportunities the following year, tying with Josh Hader for fourth-most in saves. The Toronto native finished with 36 saves again out of 40 opportunities in 2023, tied with Devin Williams for fifth-most in MLB.
If Romano can regain his form from 2021-23, the Phillies could be in good shape at the back of their bullpen. However, manager Rob Thomson will return to the bullpen approach where he will not rely on one primary reliever as the closer.
Max Kepler
The Phillies signed free agent Max Kepler to a one-year, $10 million contract this winter. Philly will use the outfielder in left field despite his previous experience with the Minnesota Twins at right and center field. For the past two seasons, he has played exclusively in right field. However, Nick Castellanos has been Philadelphia's starting right fielder since he signed with the club before the 2022 regular season.
Kepler is coming off a season in which he played only 105 games. He dealt with a right knee contusion in April. The 32-year-old's season ended at the start of September due to left patellar tendinitis. His .682 OPS was significantly lower than the .816 OPS he totaled in 130 contests during 2023.
The Berlin, Germany native's durability remains a concern. Kepler may be more suited for a platoon role with outfielder Brandon Marsh in left field. Matt Gelb of The Athletic wrote about the lack of depth concerns that continues to be an issue for the Phillies in the outfield (subscription required).
Gelb writes that Kepler planned to work with hitting coach Kevin Long before spring training on simplifying his pre-swing movements to help him hit for power more consistently. If the outfielder remains healthy and is consistent, that will help a Phillies outfield group that underachieved in 2024.