Phillies 2024 Opening Day roster projection 1.0: All-Star addition mixes things up
Now that we're into the spring training schedule and Grapefruit League games are underway, Philadelphia Phillies fans can start to feel good about the team's chances this year. The hand-wringing that took place all winter over the front office's lack of movement was somewhat quenched by the late signing of All-Star free agent utilityman Whit Merrifield.
The only other big move was the early offseason re-signing of Aaron Nola to a seven-year, $172 million contract. And more moves may be coming, with extension talks happening between Zack Wheeler's camp and the Phillies brass.
But as we sit here on the opening weekend of Grapefruit League action, we can at least have a good idea of what the Phillies 2024 Opening Day roster will look like, despite a few question marks remaining. They're essentially running the same group back for another kick at the can, albeit this time fully healthy going into the season.
Phillies 2024 Opening Day roster projection 1.0: Late All-Star addition mixes things up
Phillies Starting Rotation
- Zack Wheeler
- Aaron Nola
- Ranger Suárez
- Taijuan Walker
- Cristopher Sánchez
The Phillies have said all winter that they're happy with the rotation, and they were true to their word, not adding any free agent upgrades despite trying and missing on Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
A couple of lingering questions remain at this point with the starting five, although nothing too serious to be concerned about. The first question is which of Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola will manager Rob Thomson choose to be the Opening Day starter?
The second is really just about how the No. 3-5 spots will shake out. Ranger Suárez unquestionably took a stranglehold on the No. 3 position with his stellar postseason last year, while Taijuan Walker didn't throw a single pitch. And how will Cristopher Sánchez react to a full season after his breakout in 2023?
Phillies Bullpen
- José Alvarado
- Jeff Hoffman
- Gregory Soto
- Seranthony Domínguez
- Matt Strahm
- Orion Kerkering
- Spencer Turnbull
- Connor Brogdon
Most of the Phillies bullpen seems set, with the top six spots spoken for — unless Orion Kerkering has a disastrous spring training. With only two open spots, the Phillies have plenty of depth arms to choose from after they loaded up over the final weeks of the offseason.
Connor Brogdon might earn the first look to open the 2024 campaign, as the team already has familiarity with him, and he has some quality stuff despite a disappointing 2023. The other spot will likely go to a long-relief arm, and someone who can jump into a swingman-type role, like Matt Strahm did early last year.
Enter Spencer Turnbull, who, despite being a starter with a no-hitter to his credit, is looking for a shred of a chance to resuscitate a career derailed by injuries. The former second-round pick has no options remaining and five years of service time, so will have to consent to being sent to the minors, which might give him a leg up on the competition this spring.
Obviously, this all hinges on spring training performances, and things will get more clear as we get closer to Opening Day.
Phillies Infield
- Bryce Harper (1B)
- Bryson Stott (2B)
- Trea Turner (SS)
- Alec Bohm (3B)
- J.T. Realmuto (C)
This starting group is a no-brainer. Thomson just has to run them out there every day, allowing for the regular maintenance days off. But it's as solid an infield five as you'll find, with a healthy mix of veteran superstars and emerging youngsters like Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm.
Phillies Outfield
- Johan Rojas (CF)
- Brandon Marsh (LF)
- Nick Castellanos (RF)
Again, this group seems like an obvious place to start. It will rely on Johan Rojas performing like the team hopes he will leading up to Opening Day, and Brandon Marsh getting fully healthy from his knee operation, but this is the alignment the front office and Rob Thomson have told us they want to go with this season.
Phillies Bench
- Garrett Stubbs (C)
- Whit Merrifield (OF/INF)
- Edmundo Sosa (INF)
- Cristian Pache (OF)
This is where one of the only real mysteries lies with this Phillies roster in spring training. The late addition of three-time All-Star Whit Merrifield puts him at the top of the pecking order on the bench. He can play all over the diamond but will be used primarily as a right-handed sub in left field and at second base.
Whose spot is Merrifield going to take? It could be Jake Cave, leaving Edmundo Sosa for infield duties and Cristian Pache for outfield duties. But it could just as easily be one of these other two bench warmers. We'll have to wait and see.
Key Phillies starting 2024 in minor leagues
- Jake Cave (OF)
- Darick Hall (INF)
- Rodolfo Castro (INF)
- Weston Wilson (INF)
- Rafael Marchán (C)
- David Dahl (OF)
- Símon Muzziotti (OF)
- Mick Abel (P)
- Dylan Covey (P)
- Kolby Allard (P)
- Nick Nelson (P)
- Michael Rucker (P)
- Yunior Marte (P)
- Luis F. Ortiz (P)
This is quite a hodge-podge of a list. One of the names that will stand out to Phillies fans is Mick Abel. The Phillies No. 2 prospect isn't on the 40-man roster at this time, but if things go sideways for the major league rotation and Abel is performing in Triple-A, we could see him later this season. The rest of the pitchers may appear throughout the season, either as spot starters or temporary bullpen pieces.
Of the position players, Cave figures to be the first man up when the team needs an extra body. Rafael Marchán is the third-string catcher and will likely get called up at some point. Darick Hall, Weston Wilson, and Rodolfo Castro might make brief cameos over the course of the 162-game grind, but don't figure to get a regular role.
The most interesting question marks are outfielders David Dahl and Símon Muzziotti. Neither is currently on the 40-man roster, but with good performances in Triple-A, they could get a crack if injuries befall the Phillies' regulars.
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