The Philadelphia Phillies dropped their first two games of their spring training Grapefruit League schedule over the weekend, but as we all know the final score doesn't really matter. That's especially true since the Phillies only played a handful of their regulars in the first two tilts before turning to non-roster invitees and prospects to fill the remaining innings.
There was plenty of fuss in the time leading up to training camp about the top of the lineup. Manager Rob Thomson has been contemplating changes to the order of the top three or four hitters, and his lineup on Monday will give fans a preview of what that might look like with almost all of the Phillies' regulars penciled in to start at home in Clearwater.
Update: Monday’s Grapefruit League game between the Phillies and Pirates has been cancelled due to rain.
Phillies' spring training lineup vs. Paul Skenes could be close to Opening Day batting order
Here's what the Phillies lineup will look like when they take the field against right-hander Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates at 1:05 p.m. ET at BayCare Ballpark.
- SS Trea Turner
- DH Kyle Schwarber
- 1B Bryce Harper
- 3B Alec Bohm
- RF Nick Castellanos
- 2B Bryson Stott
- C J.T. Realmuto
- LF Max Kepler
- CF Óscar Mercado
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Trea Turner is Thomson's presumed favorite to take over the leadoff spot from Kyle Schwarber, and the $300 million shortstop will get his first crack at proving Thomson right. Hitting coach Kevin Long has also thrown his support behind moving Turner to the top of the order, and will get to see it first-hand on Monday.
"I like it," Turner said last week about hitting leadoff, per NBC Sports Philadelphia's Corey Seidman. "I've always hit one or two, for the most part, in my career. I think it would be fun, it would be a little different, I haven't done it for a few years now. Kinda get back to a little bit more speed.
"I think you take a few more pitches here or there. For me, I always looked at it as Bryce is hitting behind me so I'm ready to hit. Obviously, they're coming after me and don't want to face him. I think when you're leading off, just that label kind of puts a little bit of perspective on it, the way pitchers pitch you."
Schwarber moves down to the No. 2 spot, while Bryce Harper maintains his regular position at No. 3. There were thoughts that Harper might move up to the second spot with the designated hitter sliding down to the three-hole to offer the star first baseman some protection. That could still happen this spring as Thomson plays with different configurations, but one thing we won't see is Harper leading off.
The only player in today's lineup who won't be a regular this season is Óscar Mercado, who will start the game in center field — the Phillies are banking on Brandon Marsh being able to hit lefties well enough to take that job.
Skenes, 22, lived up to the hype in 2024, going 11-3 with 170 strikeouts in 133 innings over 23 starts. He won NL Rookie of the Year and finished third behind Zack Wheeler in the Cy Young voting. He'll face off against Phillies lefty Cristopher Sánchez, who had a breakout season in 2024. He went 11-9 with a 3.32 ERA in 31 starts, throwing two complete games and earning his first All-Star nod.