The Philadelphia Phillies haven't had a great start to June, going just 4-7 so far and losing 10 of their last 14 dating back to the finale of the Atlanta Braves series on May 29. They got a much-needed series win over the Chicago Cubs, including a possible momentum-changing extra-inning win on Monday. The Phillies’ early-season dominance from their offense and pitching have faded as of late, with every player's struggle being magnified immensely during their recent stretch.
However, there have been a few select players who have yet to find their groove with almost two and a half months of the 2025 MLB season in the books. As a result, let’s take a look at three players who Phillies fans are starting to lose patience with as we head into trade deadline season ahead of the July 31 deadline.
These players haven't been getting the job done for the Phillies this season
Joe Ross, RHP
When the Phillies lost both Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez to free agency this past offseason, they looked to the signing of veteran reliever Joe Ross to help fill some of the void left in the bullpen. Ross actually put together a solid 2024 campaign with the Milwaukee Brewers in which he posted a solid 3.77 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 74 innings pitched after having not pitched in the big leagues since 2021 due to injury woes.
Unfortunately, the 32-year-old right-hander has struggled for much of his tenure so far with the Phillies. In 23 relief appearances, Ross has compiled a dismal 5.01 ERA and 1.39 WHIP, while yielding more than a hit per inning with 10 walks and 26 strikeouts over 32 1/3 innings of work. He has given up runs in a little less than half of those outings and has held his opponents hitless only three times all year, yet he has somehow managed to still hold on to his roster spot, likely due to the bullpen's early-season struggles.
However, things have gotten worse as of late, as Ross has surrendered runs in four of his past six outings. Heading into Friday's action, he had allowed seven runs in nine innings over that span, with eight strikeouts and six walks.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Phillies will no doubt be looking to bolster their relief corps for the stretch run. Therefore, Ross will need to pick up his game soon or his spot could be in jeopardy.
Weston Wilson, UTL
After putting together a solid campaign with the Phillies in 2024 as one of their key players off the bench, Philadelphia was expecting much more significant contributions from Weston Wilson this season. After all, everyone will remember his massive potential that he showed after hitting for the cycle against the Washington Nationals on Aug. 15 last year.
Wilson’s start to the 2025 season may have been slowed down due to a freak injury during spring training that left him with a left oblique strain. But despite now being healthy and back with the Phillies, Wilson has been a huge disappointment so far. The 30-year-old has posted just a .171 average and .550 OPS, along with three runs scored, one home run and four RBIs while striking out 13 times in 35 at-bats.
To make matters worse, Wilson hasn’t been helping his cause in earning more playing time with the atrocity of his defense in the outfield with plays like this:
With Brandon Marsh having turned his game around after a horrendous start, Edmundo Sosa doing his usual steady job, and the recent promising promotion of Otto Kemp, Wilson could soon find himself planted on the bench more often than not until he finds a way to work out the kinks in his game.
Max Kepler, OF
As one of the Phillies’ key signings this past offseason, Max Kepler was relied upon to be the potential solution in the outfield heading into 2025. After all, the 10-year MLB veteran had proven to be a solid offensive contributor while providing steady defense during his time with the Minnesota Twins.
However, Kepler has yet to take off, with more than one-third of the season gone already. In 62 games entering Friday, he has amassed a dismal .210 average and .676 OPS, with 26 runs scored, seven home runs and 24 RBIs. That would put him on pace for less than 20 home runs and 60 RBIs for the season.
The Phillies sure weren’t expecting Kepler to put up Bryce Harper or even Nick Castellanos-type numbers. But they likely thought they had someone who could provide more offense than an average Brandon Marsh season (which typically falls in the 10-15 home runs, 50-60 RBIs range worth of output).
Unless Kepler can turn things up a notch in the coming month, look for the Phillies to pursue potential outfield options once again at this year’s trade deadline, especially if their patience wears thin with the 32-year-old outfielder.