No 7: Garrett Stubbs
We'll kick off our list with backup catcher Garrett Stubbs, a role player who has become a cult favorite of Phillies fans due to his presence as a veteran leader in the clubhouse and his hilarious antics as a ringleader during the team's post-season celebrations the past two years. Stubbs can be credited with helping overalls come back as a modern fashion statement, and if a stat exists for beer-to-pocket ratio, our man is a league leader.
On the field, Stubbs does a capable job of backing up starting catcher J.T. Realmuto when rest or injury requires him to put on the mask. The proto-typical all-glove/no-bat backup receiver, Stubbs has appeared in close to 50 games in each of his two seasons in Philadelphia. Unlikely to ever put up exceptional numbers as a hitter, almost all of Stubbs' value is derived from his ability to catch at the big league level and provide leadership in the dugout.
Stubbs is expected to fill a similar role in 2024. With a career stat line of .220 with six home runs and 34 RBI, seeing Stubbs on the field every day would probably be a worst-case scenario for the Phillies this year, landing him at No. 7 in our Phillies infield power rankings.
No 6: Edmundo Sosa
Since his acquisition in a Trade Deadline deal with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022, Edmundo Sosa has given the Phillies a ton of value and versatility at a number of positions. The 27-year-old recently avoided arbitration with the ballclub and agreed to a $1.7 million deal for 2024. The raise was well earned, as Sosa was the primary third baseman for much of last season.
His positional versatility was on full display in 2023, appearing in 104 games: 82 at third base, 18 at shortstop, four at second, and two in the outfield. At the plate, Sosa more than held his own, batting .251, with a career-high 10 home runs, 15 doubles, and 30 RBI. Utility players who can also hit are a rare commodity.
Edmundooooooooo!!!!#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/XjNYAiMZE8
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 26, 2023
With the Phillies starting infield fully healthy as we approach spring training, expect Sosa to do a little bit of everything again in 2024. It's likely his appearances and at-bats will decline this season as a result, but injuries and rest will provide Sosa with enough at-bats to stay fresh, putting him at No. 6 in our Phillies infield power rankings.