As the Philadelphia Phillies exit the All-Star break and kick off the second half of the 2025 regular season, there's a lot riding on the next two and a half months of baseball.
After back-to-back failed attempts to return to the World Series following 2022's unforgettable run, the veteran core has just about run its course. With aging veterans and multiple pending free agents, this upcoming stretch drive and postseason is this group's final chance to get it done together.
If the Phillies are serious about making a push to secure a second straight National League East title and power into the playoffs on a surge, they need contributions from every corner of the roster. That's something they haven't been getting this season, from numerous culprits.
Here are 5 Phillies with one final chance to prove themselves
With the July 31 trade deadline less than two weeks away, there are some players who could be heading into their final chance to prove to the front office that they can make a difference and deserve their spot on the active roster and in the organization.
Max Kepler, OF
Max Kepler has been nothing short of disappointing since signing his one-year, $10 million deal in the winter. There's little to look at and be enthusiastic about from his performance through the first half of the season. He was brought in to supposedly be the everyday left fielder, but that hasn't worked out. He has let it be known he's not happy with his playing time, but Phillies fans don't have much sympathy for him and his .210/.307/.371 slash line.
Kepler may have a final chance coming out of the All-Star break to change some minds among the Phillies' decision-makers, but don't hold your breath. There's a good chance he's on his way out the door, possibly with a simple release.
Joe Ross, RHP
Another veteran signing, reliever Joe Ross has been a let down coming off a strong year with the Milwaukee Brewers. The 32-year-old has not been dependable out of the bullpen, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.49 WHIP with just a 16.1 percent strikeout rate in 41 2/3 innings so far.
He was signed for $4 million, so if the Phillies manage to acquire some new relievers at the trade deadline, he could still find himself out of a job, regardless of how the next couple of weeks go.
Mick Abel, RHP
Top pitching prospect Mick Abel has had a rollercoaster of a professional career so far. That has continued this season after a stunning MLB debut and a fall from grace that led to the rookie's demotion back to Triple-A.
After the Phillies leaned heavily into college pitching in the recent 2025 MLB Draft, Abel might be looking at his last chance to prove to the Phillies that he's worth keeping around with a solid start to his second half in Lehigh Valley. Otherwise, he'll be good trade bait, especially as his struggles in the majors haven't affected his continuing success in his minor league outings. He may not get another chance at the big league level before the trade deadline, so we may have seen the last of Abel in a Phillies uniform.
Johan Rojas, OF
Taking up a spot at the end of the Phillies' bench, Johan Rojas has struggled, yet again, to make himself a reliable enough hitter to warrant playing against left-handed pitching. After a good start to the season, he bottomed out through May and June, slashing .153/.218/.222 and now has a 23.7 percent strikeout rate on the year.
With the outfield a position of need for the Phillies at the trade deadline, Rojas has some time to prove his defense is enough to make him indispensable to manager Rob Thomson. But there's also just as good a chance that he could find himself optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley by July 31.
Jordan Romano, RHP
Despite signing a one-year, $8.5 million "show me" contract in the offseason, all right-hander Jordan Romano has shown is that he isn't the reliable All-Star closer he once was with the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite working his season ERA down below 7.00 at the end of June, Romano bombed out in a couple of outings heading into the All-Star break that saw his ERA shoot back up to 7.29.
His track record might give him some more leeway, so these next couple of weeks are vitally important if the 32-year-old wants to remain in the Phillies' bullpen down the stretch.