J.T. Realmuto will be the starting catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2025. The soon-to-be 34-year-old is heading into the final year of his contract, and his future in the City of Brotherly Love is uncertain. His backup is also uncertain heading into the new season, but a likely candidate is emerging.
Garrett Stubbs made the Phillies’ 2024 Opening Day roster as Realmuto’s backup. Stubbs has been with the Phillies since 2022, but he hasn’t had much playing time with Realmuto being a workhorse behind the plate. The 31-year-old has a career .222 batting average with 22 extra-base hits and 39 RBI in his three seasons with the Phillies.
Although he’s a high-energy person and fan favorite, Phillies fans have begun to grow frustrated with Stubbs’ sub-par performance on the field. Stubbs offers very little offensively as he slashed .207/.296/.262 with a .558 OPS, six extra-base hits, 11 RBI and struck out 50 times in 56 games in 2024. He had a .204 batting average in 2023.
Rafael Marchán gets one final kick at the can with Phillies in 2025
Realmuto missed an extended period from early June until late July with a knee injury. As a result, the Phillies recalled former top catching prospect Rafael Marchán from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to split time with Stubbs in Realmuto’s absence.
After not appearing in a big league game since 2021, Marchán found himself in a platoon role with Stubbs. The switch-hitter slashed .294/.345/.549 with a .894 OPS, four doubles, three home runs and six RBI in 51 at-bats.
Phillies fans felt like they saw enough out of the 25-year-old and wanted him to remain at the major league level to be the backup catcher instead of Stubbs. The Phillies organization felt otherwise and sent Marchán back to Triple-A to get regular playing time when Realmuto returned from the IL.
Marchán debuted with the Phillies in 2020, but the young catcher has very little experience at the big league level. He appeared in only three games in 2020 and went 4-for-8 with a home run and three RBI. Marchán didn’t make the Opening Day roster in 2021, but he appeared in 20 games owning a .231 batting average.
The Phillies signed Stubbs to a one-year deal for the 2025 season, but the veteran isn’t guaranteed the backup catcher spot behind Realmuto. He’s set to make $450,000 if he’s at Triple-A and $925,000 if he’s in the majors.
Unlike Marchán, Stubbs still has a minor league option remaining. Marchán will likely make the Phillies’ 2025 Opening Day roster as the backup catcher while Stubbs will be the starting catcher for the IronPigs.
Marchán offers more value than Stubbs, especially at the plate, but he has to prove he can stay healthy. He’s dealt with many injuries throughout his professional career which has stunted his development.
The Phillies have to prepare for life after Realmuto, and 2025 might be Marchán’s final kick at the can.