Spring training is about to ramp up, and before long we'll see Philadelphia Phillies pitchers and catchers reporting to the Carpenter Complex. Pitchers and catchers will report on Wednesday, with the team;s first full squad workout on Feb. 16.
It's widely known that many Phillies fans aren't impressed with what feels like an underwhelming offseason for the front office. Even with as questionable of a winter as the Phillies have had, there will still be plenty of storylines to flesh out as camp progresses.
But there are definitely some storylines that are flying under the radar with just days to go before the clock starts ticking and baseball is back. Here are some overlooked angles that we think fans should pay attention to early on.
Here are 3 Phillies spring training storylines fans should start thinking about
This might be Garrett Stubbs' last ride with the Phillies
It's been coming for a while now, but this spring could finally be the end of Garrett Stubbs' tenure in Philadelphia. Last year he spent most of the season in Triple-A Lehigh Valley thanks to his remaining minor league option.
The Phillies will have a choice to make before Opening Day, with both Rafael Marchán and Stubbs vying for the backup role to J.T. Realmuto. With both now out of options it feels like the 32-year-old Stubbs is at a disadvantage going into the roster battle thanks to Marchán's upside. Marchán spent 2025 as the backup and will turn just 27 before the end of February.
Stubbs is also heading to the World Baseball Classic, suiting up for Team Israel. Whether leaving camp for those few weeks will affect the Phillies' decision remains to be seen, but this spring feels like his swan song after four years with the organization.
Can anyone emerge as viable starting pitching depth?
The Phillies' starting pitching depth is desperate, to say the least. They haven't stockpiled starting arms like they have in past offseasons.
With Zack Wheeler questionable, Taijuan Walker and Andrew Painter will be vying for rotation spots on Opening Day. If there's an injury to any of the starters, the Phillies' fallback options include right-handers Yoniel Curet, Alan Rangel who are on the 40-man roster.
They will get some competition in spring training with right-hander Bryse Wilson and lefty Tucker Davidson being brought to camp as non-roster invitees.
Prospect Jean Cabrera spent all of 2025 in Double-A Reading, posting a 3.81 ERA in 137 innings. With a strong spring he could emerge as an option eventually, but having never pitched at the highest level of the majors, the Phillies will want him to test his stuff against Triple-A hitters first.
Right now, it looks like that's it.
Gabriel Rincones Jr. has a real chance to make some noise
Leading up to training camp, everyone's attention has been on Justin Crawford, and rightly so. Expected to be the Phillies' starting center fielder, he's sure to attract much of the attention this spring, along with Painter and Aidan Miller.
But don't sleep on slugging outfield prospect Gabriel Rincones Jr. The soon-to-be 25-year-old is currently ranked as the Phillies' No. 9 MLB Pipeline prospect. His name has popped up seemingly every time the Phillies discussed prospects who couthe big league team this season.
Rincones quickly made a name for himself with his light tower power last spring, before falling off at the plate. He played 119 games in Triple-A last season, batting .240 with a .799 OPS, 18 home runs, and 21 stolen bases. There's every chance he will get a look in an outfield corner spot when the need arises during the season, especially if he impresses the front office and coaching staff this spring.