Picking the Phillies' first-half MVP is harder than it seems

The Philadelphia Phillies concluded their first half at 55-41 and still hold onto first place in the NL East. Although the lead is only by half a game, it proves how hard this baseball team has worked to continuously fight in the standings. Although the team has been an even 19-19 since June 1, they still wouldn't have gotten to their winning record without contributions from some notable names.

This Phillies team, like the last few years, is filled with stars up and down the roster. Many have contributed greatly to get the Phillies to where they are now. There are a few names specifically that deserve some recognition during the only lull of the season with All-Star week. There's no MVP awarded halfway through the MLB season, but that won't stop Phillies fans from giving praise where it's deserved.

Phillies have a handful of players deserving of being named first-half MVP

There are a few names that could be crowned as the most valuable through the team's first 95 games. Here's a list compiled of the few finalists that the Phillies had for their first-half MVP.

Cristopher Sánchez, Finalist

Cristopher Sánchez broke out last year for his first career All-Star appearance and carried that right into 2025 with an 8-2 record, 2.50 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 115 innings pitched. His 2.50 ERA also currently ranks fourth among NL starters in ERA. His strikeout percentage has also skyrocketed from 20.3 to 26 percent in just one season.

You can arguably say that Sánchez has been the second-best starter for the Phillies this season. Makes you wonder how he wasn't named an All-Star this year (subscription required), per Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Trea Turner, Finalist

There are truly few shortstops in the game quite like Trea Turner. The Phillies knew what they were getting, and although it wasn't immediately apparent in 2023, he's played at an All-Star level in the first half of the 2025 season. Phillies fans can spend days looking over his numbers compared to the New York Mets' Francisco Lindor and the Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts and know that Turner was also snubbed from an All-Star designation.

He leads the Phillies with a 3.8 fWAR and has also settled right into the leadoff spot where he has provided a consistent offensive threat from the top of the lineup. Through 94 games, he's batting .289/.343/.433, good for a .776 OPS. He's also hit 11 home runs, 40 RBIs and 62 runs scored and is the team leader with 24 stolen bases.

Kyle Schwarber, Finalist

The freshly crowned 2025 MLB All-Star Game MVP Kyle Schwarber has been a man on a mission this year, batting .247/.378/.545, good for a team-leading .923 OPS. He has the fifth-most home runs in baseball with 30 and also leads the team with a 154 wRC+.

Not only is Schwarber imposing against opposing pitchers again, but he is also putting up the numbers from the cleanup spot where he has a .955 OPS, which has accounted for his team-leading 69 RBIs. Schwarber was a star in the All-Star Game swing-off, and now Phillies fans can only hope that it will continue past 2025 as his contract is set to expire after this season.

Zack Wheeler, MVP

What is there to say about Zack Wheeler that hasn't been said already? He's easily been the MVP of the Phillies' first half. Just when there's a thought about him hitting his peak, he blows past it. In his age-35 season, Wheeler is just as dominant, if not better than previous seasons in a hunt for a World Series title.

He finished second for the NL Cy Young to Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale last year, but that hasn't slowed him down as he has pitched to a 9-3 record, 2.36 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 154 strikeouts in 122 innings pitched. As of the break, among all NL starters, he ranks third in ERA (2.36), second in innings pitched (122), first in strikeouts (154), first in WHIP (0.86), and first in BAA (.181) and strikeouts per nine (11.36).

He's been one of the best pitchers on the planet since the Phillies signed him in 2020 and it appears his reign will continue as he seeks his first Cy Young Award, coupled with his first championship. It's just been another historic run for Wheeler, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.

It may be hard to distinguish who's been more valuable with a little more of half the season to decide. For the Phillies however, Wheeler has been the constant and has been the leader for the Phillies rotation. He may be the MVP of the first half, but he certainly needs the rest of his team to back him up as they gear up for the second half on Friday.

More Phillies News from That Ball's Outta Here