Fool’s Gold: Edmundo Sosa
As one of the key backup infielders for the Phillies over the past few seasons, Edmundo Sosa has become a dependable piece on their roster from both an offensive and defensive standpoint. But what stood out was how he was able to step up his game last season in the absence of Trea Turner with his hamstring injury, showing that he could be a big-game player when needed.
This year, Sosa got off to a good start in spring training when he posted a strong .292 average and .833 OPS, along with five runs scored, four doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs in 18 games of action. But who would have thought that he would have an even crazier start to the 2025 regular season?
In nine games entering Monday, Sosa has compiled an eye-popping .444 batting average, which leads the team, and a 1.057 OPS, which is just behind Kyle Schwarber. In addition, he has also recorded four runs scored, four doubles and six RBIs over that stretch. To try to keep his potent bat in the lineup, the Phillies have even experimented using Sosa in the outfield.
But as good as he has been, hitting well over .400 and maintaining a 1.000+ OPS all year is highly unlikely for the 29-year-old infielder, especially when his career marks for batting average and OPS are more in the .260 and .720 range, respectively. Nevertheless, there’s a good chance he will remain productive enough to maintain his important value coming off the bench for the Phillies in the long run.
Sustainable: Kyle Schwarber
Phillies star Kyle Schwarber will never be known for being a defensive stalwart. But one thing is for sure, you can always count on him to provide massive offensive production whenever he is in the lineup for the Phillies.
During his past few seasons with Philadelphia, Schwarber has averaged greater than 100 runs scored, 40 home runs, 100 RBI and 105 walks per year while maintaining a strong .346 on-base percentage and .840 OPS in the process to power the Phillies’ attack. In particular, when the bulk of the Phillies struggled during the latter parts of 2024, it was Schwarber who ended up carrying the offensive weight, as he ended up leading the team in runs scored, home runs and RBIs when all was said and done.
This year, the 32-year-old designated hitter has been at it once again to start his 2025 campaign. With Phillies stars Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and others struggling a bit coming out of the gate, Schwarber has been on fire. Before Monday's game against the Giants, he had already scored 13 runs, hit six home runs, and amassed 12 RBIs, 11 walks and 15 strikeouts while batting a solid .273 with a 1.067 OPS in his first 15 games of the season.
Just for comparison’s sake, the next closest Phillie in runs scored is eight (Harper) and in home runs is two (Harper again). So without Schwarber, the Phillies might not be fielding the record that they have now to be near the top of the NL East. And to ask the silly question if the 11-year veteran can keep putting up these big numbers for Philadelphia? There’s no question that would be a big “yes” as Schwarber continues to get it done for the Phillies as he always has.