The 2024 season is still a long way off, but with all of our offseason free time, we can start to think about next year. From fresh-faced rookies to seasoned veterans to superstar players, the Philadelphia Phillies had some players that finished the 2023 season with more question marks than answers.
Many thought this most recent version of the Phillies should have been back in the World Series for a second straight year — and if we're being honest, the red carpet was rolled out for them, they just tripped on the edge. After finishing 90-72 this past season, improving on their 2022 record of 87-75, it looked like the assembled roster was bigger and better and would take that final step to Philadelphia sports immortality.
Alas, it wasn't meant to be.
So, with expectations sky-high heading into 2024, which players will be under the microscope?
We've assembled a list of the Phillies who have the most to prove next season. These are players who the team and the fans will be looking for answers from during Spring Training up to Opening Day and throughout the six-month grind of the regular season and into the postseason.
We'll start with some younger players who are trying to establish themselves and get their major league careers jump-started. Are these newcomers to the Phillies roster going to stick around through 2024 and prove they belong in the Majors? Or will they regress and find themselves back in Triple-A, figuring things out before getting another chance?
Then we'll check in on some veterans. It may seem strange to look at such seasoned major leaguers, especially a couple of superstar-caliber players. But these Phillies had ... interesting ... 2023 seasons and definitely have something to prove in 2024.
First up, a rookie pitcher...
NEXT: Can Orion Kerkering solidify his job in the Phillies bullpen?