Dream Phillies starting lineup for the 2024 season
If there was no limit for the Phillies' 2024 payroll, what would be their dream starting lineup next season?
Every year, MLB teams work hard to piece together the perfect starting lineup to give themselves the best possible chances at winning. Once they have the appropriate pieces in place, it's then up to the manager to assemble the most effective batting order to maximize their offensive potential.
In the case of the Philadelphia Phillies, their roster is already composed of various stars, including Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and J.T. Realmuto, to name a few, along with a solid supporting cast. Phillies manager Rob Thomson had the distinctive honor of making ongoing adjustments to the starting lineup throughout the 2023 season until he finally found the right setup that kicked into gear down the stretch and into the postseason. In the end, they fell just short of the World Series, but overall, it was still deemed a somewhat successful season for the Phillies.
So now, heading into 2024, it's time once again for the team to reassemble the best possible starting lineup for the upcoming season. But let’s detach from reality just a bit and suppose there were fewer constraints with regard to the Phillies' budget and that they could disregard their payroll limit to upgrade the roster.
The dream 2024 Philadelphia Phillies starting lineup
In this case, what would the ideal dream Phillies starting lineup look like for 2024 that would make them unstoppable?
Here, we look at what the composition of their starting nine could be made up of in this dream scenario. For the purposes of this article, we will only consider options available from free agency while leaving out any options coming from trades.
NEXT: The biggest free agent on the market will lead off.
Batting first in the dream 2024 Phillies lineup, Shohei Ohtani at DH
The Phillies winning the sweepstakes for Japanese two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will instantly transform the ballclub into a perennial contender for the coming decade. It's like the equivalent of getting a star hitter and a star pitcher at the same time, all for one great price. For the sake of this piece, since we are focusing on the starting lineup, we'll look at the hitting version of Ohtani.
Without question, Ohtani would become the Phillies’ leadoff hitter from here on out. As one of the most feared hitters in all of baseball, forcing the opposing team to see him as much as possible will give the ballclub the best chance at generating consistent offense.
In addition to the valuable home runs and RBI he can provide, many may have forgotten about the fact that he led the AL in on-base percentage (.412) and stole 20 bases this past season. Those numbers are crucial for being an ideal leadoff hitter — being able to get on base successfully, as well as getting into scoring position to help set up scoring opportunities with speed on the basepaths.
By occupying the DH spot in the lineup, Ohtani will be a huge upgrade over Kyle Schwarber, in particular with the reduction in the number of strikeouts. With almost guaranteed MVP-caliber type production year in and year out from the Japanese sensation, the Phillies won’t need to worry about him at all, other than perhaps the maintenance of his good health.
NEXT: A pair of superstars fill the two and three spots in the lineup.
Batting second in the dream 2024 Phillies lineup, Trea Turner at SS
After enduring an extraordinarily long slump to begin the 2023 season, Trea Turner turned his season completely around during the second half.
By hitting .317 with an OPS of 1.000, with 44 runs scored, 14 doubles, 16 home runs, and 42 RBI in 51 games down the stretch, Turner became an unstoppable force in leading the Phillies right into the postseason. In doing so, he verified why the Phillies signed the superstar shortstop to a whopping 11-year, $300 million contract during the 2022-23 offseason.
With a proven MLB star in Turner hitting behind Ohtani, it will help ensure that Ohtani doesn’t just get unhittable pitches and free passes every time he comes to the plate. On top of that, don’t forget that Turner is also a speedster on the basepaths, averaging close to 30 stolen bases per season in his career. So, together with Ohtani, they could be the next coming of Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino in the Phillies lineup, but with far greater offensive potential.
Batting third in the dream 2024 Phillies lineup, Bryce Harper at 1B
After coming back early from Tommy John surgery, Bryce Harper put together a solid 2023 campaign with the Phillies. In particular, he heated up big time as the season went on, including a strong final two months of the season in which he hit .299 with 41 runs scored, 16 home runs, and 41 RBI in the process.
Having Harper in the third spot in the batting order is a must, given his success in the position for the majority of his tenure with the Phillies. Not only that, but it will keep the lineup alternating between lefty (Ohtani) to righty (Turner) and back to lefty (Harper) to keep opposing teams from utilizing any type of strategic pitching matchups.
In addition, keeping him at first base is the best scenario to help preserve his health in the long run.
NEXT: The Phillies get a new center fielder.
Batting fourth in the dream 2024 Phillies lineup, Cody Bellinger in CF
In addition to getting Ohtani, the Phillies will feel like they have won the lottery by also signing the next best free agent in the market in former MVP Cody Bellinger. In 2023, Bellinger had a huge bounce-back season that saw him rediscover some of his dominant form after struggling the previous three years. He posted a career-best .307 batting average, along with 95 runs scored, 26 home runs, 97 RBI, and 20 stolen bases with the Chicago Cubs.
If his reversion to his All-Star form is indeed real, he definitely deserves to hit in the cleanup spot behind Harper, giving him ample opportunities to do what he does best, which is driving in runs. After all, in 2023, Bellinger hit a stellar .323 with an .898 OPS, along with six home runs, 71 RBI, and 12 sacrifice flies with runners in scoring position.
With two outs in such situations, he was even better, boasting a .333 batting average, .947 OPS, and 23 RBI. Since Bellinger has the innate ability to come through in the clutch, this is the type of hitter that should be cemented in the fourth spot in the batting order for the Phillies.
Moreover, the former 2019 Gold Glove winner will bring solid defense to complement his overpowering offense to center field, so the Phillies don't have to worry too much about a potential defensive drop-off without Johan Rojas in the position.
Batting fifth in the dream 2024 Phillies lineup, J.T. Realmuto at C
J.T. Realmuto may appear to have had a down season in 2023 in which he hit just .252 with a career-high 138 strikeouts. But his overall numbers in terms of runs scored, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI, and stolen bases were still more or less on par with his career averages. What probably stood out more was when he failed to produce in the clutch, as he hit only .205 with 38 runs driven in with RISP.
However, now with a group of star-studded hitters surrounding him in a revamped Phillies’ lineup, there should be less pressure on him to deliver, which could in turn re-ignite his offensive potential. The scariest part for opposing teams is the fact that with Realmuto in the fifth spot, the Phillies will have five players who all have the ability to punish the opposition with both their speed and power in the top half of their lineup with this dream setup.
NEXT: Another power-hitting newcomer joins the outfield.
Batting sixth in the dream 2024 Phillies lineup, Jorge Soler in RF
Making one more significant free agent signing this offseason in Jorge Soler, the Phillies have essentially reworked their outfield, along with putting some added boost of power into their starting lineup with Soler hitting sixth.
If you recall, Soler was instrumental for the Miami Marlins this past season in helping them reach the playoffs for the first time in three years. In 2023, Soler hit .250 with an .853 OPS, 77 runs scored, 36 home runs, and 75 RBI. More impressive was the fact that he did this with lesser lights hitting behind him in a lineup that provided him little or almost no protection. Given this, the sixth spot in the batting order with the Phillies would be ideal. Soler should still be able to produce regardless of how the Phillies’ younger hitters perform behind him.
In terms of Soler’s defense in right field, it could leave a bit to be desired. But then again, Nick Castellanos hasn’t really fared much better with a career -62 DRS in 761 games in right field. Compared to Soler’s -18 DRS in the same position in 385 games played, there appears to be a slight upgrade with Soler at the position.
Batting seventh in the dream 2024 Phillies lineup, Alec Bohm at 3B
After a breakout season in 2023 that saw Alec Bohm post career highs in doubles, home runs, and RBI, it seems cruel to put him in the bottom third of the batting order for the Phillies in 2024. But with the huge influx of star talent coming into the organization, the Phillies will now have the luxury of having a potential 100-RBI man hitting in the seventh spot in the lineup.
At the same time, because Bohm grounded into an NL-leading 23 double plays this past season, it would also prevent him from potentially killing rallies with the top six in flight.
With Bohm hitting down in the order there's a higher chance the Phillies can sustain multiple-run rallies more often in 2024. And with the opposition feeling like they're trying to run a gauntlet through the first six batters in the Phillies’ batting order, there might be an advantageous pitcher letdown for Bohm in the seven hole.
Nevertheless, Bohm becomes the everyday third baseman for the ballclub in 2024 and rightfully deserves it.
Batting eighth in the dream 2024 Phillies lineup, Bryson Stott at 2B
The key role of the eighth and ninth hitters in the batting order for the Phillies will be to help set up the powerhouse hitters at the top of the lineup. As a result, Bryson Stott fits the bill in the eighth spot in the starting lineup.
Not only does he have the ability to cash in runners left on base from the upper part of the batting order, with his .280 batting average and 62 RBI in 2023, he also went 31-for-34 in stolen bases. As a result, once he gets on base, he can make things happen and set the table for the top part of the order.
Stott also made great strides in his defensive work in 2023. He had 6 DRS along with an impressive .992 fielding percentage in 602 chances, becoming a Gold Glove Award finalist. His overall development has been so substantial that even Harper endorsed him recently this postseason saying that he was the best second baseman in the league.
He was also named one of MLB's top breakout players this past season. So if the Phillies indeed have “the best second baseman” in all of baseball batting eighth, it just speaks volumes of what this potent 2024 Phillies’ lineup could potentially bring.
Batting ninth in the dream 2024 Phillies lineup, Brandon Marsh in LF
Finally, rounding out the starting lineup is none other than the usually reliable and fan favorite Brandon Marsh. Having mainly played in center field for the Phillies the past two seasons, Marsh will move to left field to accommodate the new additions of Bellinger and Soler in 2024.
That shouldn’t present a problem, as Marsh has had experience playing in left field. As a matter of fact, defensively, it has been his strongest position as he has posted 9 DRS in just 106 games and 166 chances in his career.
On the offensive side of things, Marsh put up a career-best .372 on-base percentage this past season, along with career highs in runs scored (58), doubles (25), triples (6), home runs (12), RBI (60), and walks (59). Having a player that gets on base quite readily hitting in the ninth spot could do wonders for the ballclub when the lineup turns over for Ohtani and company at the top of the order.
NEXT: Final thoughts on the dream 2024 Phillies lineup.
Final thoughts on the dream 2024 Phillies lineup
This potent dream Phillies starting lineup will wreak havoc on opposing teams right from the start of the 2024 season. With the overload of star players in the top half of the order, pitchers will fear for their lives every time they head out to pitch against the Phillies.
Not only will there be no easy outs in the lineup, but every one of the Phillies players can post double-digit home runs and more than 60 RBI while hitting for a decent batting average. Even more frightening is the fact that seven of the nine players can torment the opposition on the basepaths once they get on base.
However, for this dream starting lineup to work, it will require the removal of both Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos from the roster. By removing the free-swinging, high-whiff rates of these players from the lineup, the Phillies get that much more dangerous with more balls being put in play. In addition, instead of having Schwarber and Castellanos with their combined -30 DRS in 2023 roaming the outfield, the team will now have a bit more defensive reliability with the three-headed monster of Marsh, Bellinger, and Soler.
More importantly, the removal of both Schwarber and Castellanos off the books will help shave $39 million off the Phillies' annual payroll that could easily be used to recruit the incoming star players. But even so, the Phillies’ payroll will no doubt end up skyrocketing way beyond what they would expect.
But if they don’t mind paying the luxury tax, who knows, maybe, just maybe, this dream lineup could in fact become a reality. In the meantime, for all of the Phillies' faithful out there, we can only wait and hope.
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