Meet the 2025 Phillies: Key Questions and Season Predictions for Every Player

On Thursday, the curtain goes up for the 143rd season of performances. Phillies In history, the ensemble of figures will be recognizable.

Since they made the playoffs for three straight years—and secured 95 victories and the National League East title in the previous season—the team’s lineup remains mostly intact. The players’ identities and most of their appearances are familiar. Bryce Harper to Zack Wheeler .

Let’s go ahead and examine the 26 players on the opening-day roster — along with the left-handed pitcher. Ranger Suárez , who will start the season on the injured list—and a challenge that each will encounter in 2025.

Alec Bohm

Position: 3B | Age: 28 | Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Contract status: $7.7 million salary; remains under team control until 2026.

2025 outlook: He’s baaaaaaaack . After a winter of trade rumors , Bohm will kick off this season just as he ended the previous one. This is not a negative outcome. He carried his blazing performance from April forward. start the All-Star Game And was one of the team's top hitters until August. However, your legacy depends on how you end, and a bruised hand led to a downturn in September and an underwhelming 1-for-13 performance during the playoffs against the Mets, which featured being benched for Game 2.

Following a lot of speculation during the off-season about potential trades, Alec Bohm expressed his delight at staying with the Phillies, stating, "I have no desire to leave."

Key question: Can Bohm move past the trade discussions? Maybe he shouldn’t. He spoke all the appropriate words When he reported to camp and performed well during the spring season, it showed promising indications that past issues have been resolved. However, lacking complete acceptance can sometimes be a powerful incentive for athletes.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : .284/.336/.439, 16 home runs, 83 runs batted in, 115 weighted on-base average plus, 3.1 wins above replacement.

Nick Castellanos

Position : RF | Age : 33 | Bats/Throws : Right/Right

Contract status The fourth year of a five-year, $100 million agreement.

2025 outlook If last season had begun on June 1, Castellanos would have been placed seventh among NL outfielders in terms of slugging percentage (.483) and ninth in OPS (.817). This highlights his sluggish start to the season. Additionally, this demonstrates part of the full Castellanos Experience He tends to have up-and-down performance at bat. However, when hot stretches overshadow the cold ones, he remains capable of contributing effectively.

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Key question : Is he able to hit breaking pitches more effectively? Out of 216 players who encountered at least 1,500 pitches during the previous season, nobody was thrown more curves and sliders compared to Castellanos (41.4%). He hit only .218 with a slugging percentage of .374 against these types of pitches. The key for him lies in maintaining control over his swings. As hitting coach Kevin Long explained, "Once he stays composed, he will make solid contact and capitalize on the right pitches."

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : .259/.308/.428, 21 home runs, 86 ribbies, 103 weighted On-Base Average plus, 0.6 Wins Above Replacement.

Kody Clemens

Position: INF/OF | Age: 28 | Bats/Throws: Left/Right

Contract status: Pre-arbitration; still under team control until 2029.

2025 outlook: It's evident that Clemens possesses significant hitting ability; he had a .483 slugging percentage across 24 games last season. However, his lack of a fixed defensive role has kept him off the active roster for extended periods. Despite this, he serves as reliable backup within the organization. Since he doesn’t have any more minor league options left, the Phillies decided to retain him at present.

Key question: Will he secure sufficient playing time to make a difference? Perhaps, but it might only happen due to an injury to a regular player. Since Clemens is a left-handed batter sitting on the bench for a team with five left-handers in their usual starting lineup. The Phillies typically do not use right-handed swinging Trea Turner, Bohm, Castellanos, or J.T. Realmuto for pinch-hitting duties.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : .229/.282/.421, 2 home runs, 7 RBIs, 93 weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+), 0.1 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).

Bryce Harper

Position: 1B | Age: 32 | Bats/Throws: Left/Right

Contract status: The seventh season of a 13-year, $330 million agreement.

2025 outlook: It's wild to consider that Harper is at the halfway through his 13-year, $330 million deal . There have been unforgettable moments , ranging from the walk-off grand slam in 2019 to the pennant-winning home run in 2022 and his milestone 300th career home run in 2023. Throughout Bryce Harper's era with the Phillies, they've consistently improved their win totals for every complete season—from 81 wins in 2019 up to 82 in 2021, then reaching 87 victories in 2022, followed by 90 in 2023, and finally achieving 95 wins last year. This progression showcases significant growth. trending toward Cooperstown For No. 3. The only thing left to complete everything is a World Series championship ring.

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Key question: Could he secure a Gold Glove award for his performance at first base? Harper could be the top choice since Christian Walker is not competing in the National League anymore. his first complete season after changing positions Last season, Harper was the second-most valuable first baseman defensively in the National League, recording a plus-5 fielding run value as measured by Statcast.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : .284/.380/.519, 31 home runs, 98 runs batted in, 145 weighted on-base average plus, 4.7 wins above replacement.

Max Kepler

Position: LF | Age: 32 | Bats/Throws: Left/Left

Contract status: One year, $10 million.

2025 outlook: The Phillies made a single adjustment to alter their offensive dynamics. Time will tell how this impacts things. If Kepler is the solution, then what is the question? He’s yet another southpaw batter in a lineup heavy with left-handers. Additionally, he has not stepped into left field for 10 big-league campaigns. Furthermore, he concluded last season dealing with injuries while primarily sharing outfield duties with the Twins.

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Key question: Can Kepler deliver an energy boost? Last season, the Phillies had a .395 slugging percentage from their left fielders, ranking them 16th. In Minnesota, Kepler posted a .380 slugging average. However, he was sidelined due to patellar tendinitis in his left knee as well. partially detached abdominal muscle That needed surgery following the season. He’s fully recovered now and has had an outstanding spring.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : .235/.305/.415, 18 home runs, 62 ribbies, 100 weighted on-base average, 1.6 wins above replacement.

Rafael Marchán

Position: C | Age: 26 | Bats/Throws: Switch/Right

Contract status: Pre-arbitration; still under team control until 2028.

2025 outlook: For many years, he struggled with injuries that prevented him from maintaining his position in the major leagues. This spring, however, he managed to stay healthy and secured the spot over the well-liked current player Garrett Stubbs, who might be assigned to the minor leagues Without going through waivers, now it's down to Marchán to secure the position by performing well every time J.T. Realmuto requires a break.

Rafael Marchán remained patient, as his father had suggested. His perseverance paid off when he secured a spot on the Phillies team.

Key question: How many games is Marchán able to play? The Phillies have considered reducing Realmuto’s playing time to maintain his freshness over the course of the season. If this happens, they will require increased performance from their backup catcher. Since 2019, Marchán has not appeared in more than 70 games in one season.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : .233/.308/.341, 2 home runs, 14 RBIs, 84 weighted runs created plus, 0.6 wins above replacement.

Brandon Marsh

Position: OF | Age: 27 | Bats/Throws: Left/Right

Contract status: $3 million salary; under control through 2027.

2025 outlook: Three years following the acquisition of Marsh from the Angels by a 2022 trade deadline For catcher Logan O'Hoppe, the Phillies are still uncertain whether he can be an everyday player. This hinges on various factors. if he is capable of hitting left-handed pitchers All indications suggest that this might be the year, particularly early in the season, when Marsh finally gets an extended opportunity to play against left-handed pitchers, which could provide clarity on his capabilities.

Phillies hope to see more production from Brandon Marsh against lefties. But will he get enough chances?

Key question: Is it possible for him to reduce his strikeout rate? Positive outcomes often occur when Marsh gets involved. Last season, he was in the 83rd percentile for hard-hit rate. However, hardly any players are simpler to miss. He shared the sixth spot for the highest strikeout rate (32.4%) amongst batters who had at least 400 plate appearances.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : .250/.328/.410 batting average, 15 home runs, 70 RBIs, 106 weighted On-Base Average Plus, 3.1 Wins Above Replacement.

J.T. Realmuto

Position: C | Age: 34 | Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Contract status: The fifth year of a five-year, $115.5 million agreement.

2025 outlook: As the primary signal-caller for the Phillies and the on-field leader,Realmuto plays this role. stays just as crucial as any member of the team , which will serve as a factor in whether they sign him Beyond this season, however, he hit .258 with an OPS of .757 in the past two years, which is lower than his average of .272 and .814 in the preceding half-decade. Could these be signs of decline as he reaches his mid-30s? Perhaps.

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Key question: Is he able to overcome Father Time? Should anyone have the ability to prevent it, unforgiving catcher aging curve It's Realmuto. He's more agile compared to your average catcher and only took up this role after being selected by the Marlins in 2010. However, an additional rest day per week might be beneficial for him.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : .258/.321/.435 batting average, 17 home runs, 62 runs batted in, 109 weighted runs created plus, 3.2 wins above replacement.

Johan Rojas

Position: CF | Age: 24 | Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Contract status: Pre-arbitration; remains managed until 2029.

2025 outlook: A year ago, Rojas' attempt at securing the center-field position was an opportunity for him. significant spring-training storyline He wasn't precisely considered an afterthought this season. However, he joined spring training as the Phillies' backup outfielder and was unable to play defense For much of the spring due to a shoulder injury he got during winter ball, he showed signs of improvement with his swing initially in winter ball and later in spring training. However, it remains to be seen whether this will result in greater consistency at bat.

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Key question: Has Rojas hit his peak? With Kepler and Marsh playing in left and central outfield positions, Rojas is expected to begin the season primarily against formidable left-handed pitchers and mainly act as a defensive substitute later in games. The highly regarded prospect Justin Crawford will likely be involved too. climbing rapidly within the hierarchy If Rojas aims to secure increased playtime, he must enhance both his offensive capabilities and his standout defensive contributions.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : .243/.285/.346, 4 home runs, 28 RBIs, 76 weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+), 0.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).

Kyle Schwarber

Position: DH | Age: 32 | Bats/Throws: Left/Right

Contract status: The fourth year of a four-year, $79 million deal.

2025 outlook: Just when you believed you had Schwarber figured out as a batter, he hit .300 against left-handed pitchers in the previous season and raised his total average by 51 points compared to 2023. Additionally, he established a new record. single-season major league record With his 15 leadoff home runs, the strongest case for keeping him at the top of the batting order remains. Regardless of where Schwarber ends up hitting, he will still be impactful. a cultivator of culture within the clubhouse as the group's unofficial leader.

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Key question: Could this be Schwarber’s last game in Philadelphia? There’s shared enthusiasm for renewing the contract However, the Phillies also cannot maintain this core team indefinitely and must confront another intricate choice regarding Realmuto. Power hitters over 30 have not been receiving favorable offers recently (take Pete Alonso as an example). Yet, only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani have hit more home runs than Schwarber since 2022.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : .224/.346/.470, with 38 home runs, 98 runs batted in, a weighted on-base average plus of 126, and 2.6 wins above replacement.

Edmundo Sosa

Position: INF | Age: 29 | Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Contract status: $3 million salary; under control through 2026.

2025 outlook: Similar to how an NBA Sixth Man thrives coming off the bench, Sosa reaches his peak performance when substituting for a starter in the infield. However, during last season when Turner missed six weeks due to a hamstring injury, Sosa stepped up batting .275 with four home runs and achieving an .841 OPS across 32 games at shortstop. When performing at his finest, he injects vitality into the team’s offense.

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Key question: Is he able to play in the outfield? Following up on conversations for over two years about potentially bringing Sosa into the outfield and failing to do so, the Phillies eventually placed him in left field and center field This spring, he mentioned that he felt "considerably better" playing in an unfamiliar role. By expanding his skill set, he believed he had a better chance of getting more playing time.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : .248/.306/.402, 4 home runs, 19 RBIs, 97 weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+), 0.7 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).

Bryson Stott

Position: 2B | Age: 27 | Bats/Throws: Left/Right

Contract status: $3.2 million salary; under control through 2027.

2025 outlook: The Phillies attribute Stott's decline at bat during the previous season to a previously undisclosed injured right elbow, which only came to light after the season ended. Now fully recovered, there is hope that he can return to his former self from 2023. However, this injury does not clarify why he frequently appeared out of sorts. stuck between plate approaches and susceptible to fastballs. He always seemed uneasy when batting, irrespective of the cause.

Bryson Stott is fit, but regaining his status as a 'reactive hitter' will be equally crucial for a comeback in 2025.

Key question: Who is Stott known as as a batter? Long, the team’s hitting instructor, thinks Stott has what it takes to hit over .300 and bat first in a top-tier MLB batting order. He's shown glimpses of this capability so far. Should Stott fulfill his full potential, he might become an All-Star player.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : .257/.320/.379, 12 home runs, 64 RBIs, 95 weighted On-Base Average Plus (wOBA+), 3.0 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).

Trea Turner

Position: SS | Age: 31 | Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Contract status: The third year of an 11-year, $300 million agreement.

2025 outlook: Last season, Turner hit .295 with 21 home runs and 19 stolen bases and outperformed the league average by 24%. Many players would readily agree to those stats. However, due to his difficulties during the last two months and his playoff performance—hitting only three for fifteen with five strikeouts against the Mets—the focus has shifted to his batting technique. The Phillies hope to see improvements from Turner in this area. Be more discerning and utilize greater portions of the subject area. , similar to how he was earlier in his tenure with Washington.

The Phillies hope for Trea Turner to remain true to his style in 2025, which involves causing 'chaos' on the basepaths.

Key question: Could it be beneficial if Turner starts first? Welcome to an ongoing discussion during the spring. Manager Rob Thomson considered placing Turner in the leadoff position and compared it with having Schwarber at the top of the lineup. Regardless of his batting position, the Phillies require Turner to step up. dynamic, game-changing athlete that they agreed upon three years ago.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : .287/.335/.462, 24 home runs, 85 RBI, 120 weighted On-Base Average Plus, 5.0 Wins Above Replacement.

Pitchers

José Alvarado

Position : Reliever | Age : 29 | Throws : Left

Contract status The third year of a three-year, $22 million agreement; with a $9 million club option for 2026.

2025 outlook Alvarado joined camp sporting a transformed body following dietary changes during the offseason aimed at reducing his weight. This transformation coincided with an increase in speed; Alvarado recorded impressive readings on the radar gun this spring. His 2024 fastball averaged 97.8 mph, placing him within the top 4% among Major League Baseball pitchers. Additionally, he frequently reached speeds above 100 mph with his sinker in exhibition games played in Florida. Alvarado also showcased a revitalized curveball, adding depth to his repertoire which previously consisted mainly of a sinker and cutter.

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Key question : Has this iteration of Alvarado settled in for good? Following a robust beginning to 2024, Thomson faced ongoing challenges with command in July, which prompted him to shift Alvarado to roles involving less pressure. In August, he took a week off to deal with an issue back home in Venezuela. Upon returning, Alvarado demonstrated some progress, yet he ended up making just one appearance during the postseason.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : 61 innings pitched, 3.33 earned run average, 5 saves, 70 strikeouts, 27 walks, 1.1 wins above replacement.

Tanner Banks

Position : Reliever | Age : 33 | Throws : Left

Contract status Pre-arbitration; remains managed until 2028.

2025 outlook Banks dedicated the initial phase of his professional journey to the Chicago White Sox organization. He is now poised to embark on his first complete season with the Philadelphia team following his acquisition via the 2024 trade deadline. The Phillies anticipate that he will bring versatility to their bullpen, serving as a reliable pitcher for less critical innings.

Key question : Is Banks capable of handling an increased workload? The 72⅓ innings that Banks pitched in 2024 marked the highest total of his Major League Baseball career, and this number might go up if the Phillies rely on him more heavily this season.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : 68 innings pitched, 3.80 earned run average, 11 holds, 67 strikeouts, 21 walks, 0.5 wins above replacement.

Carlos Hernández

Position : Reliever | Age : 28 | Throws : Right

Contract status $1.16 million salary; remains under team control until 2027.

2025 outlook Squeezed from the Royals' relief pitching corps due to lack of minor-league options, Hernández was claimed via waivers on Sunday by the Phillies. His pitches pack quite a punch; last year, his fastball clocked an average speed of 97.9 mph, placing him joint-24th among pitchers who logged at least 30 innings. Against left-handed batters, he uses a curveball, whereas against right-handers, he opts for a slider which has been somewhat less impactful this season.

Key question : Can Hernández throw strikes? The command issues have persisted, and his walk rate increased to 12.4% last year, higher than his career average of 11.2%. By throwing more strikes, perhaps he could become the 2025 equivalent of Andrew Bellatti, Jeff Hoffman, and José Ruiz—relievers who found success with the Phillies despite their underdog status.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : 50 innings pitched, 4.26 earned run average, 47 strikeouts, 22 walks, 0.1 wins above replacement.

Orion Kerkering

Position : Reliever | Age : 23 | Throws : Right

Contract status Pre-arbitration; managed until 2029.

2025 outlook Not only is Kerkering the youngest player on the Phillies' opening-day squad, but he is also among the key relievers for the team. This offseason, Philadelphia bid farewell to two critical relief pitchers through free agency—Carlos Estévez and Hoffman—and brought in just one new arm with Jordan Romano. Consequently, there's a gap in managing crucial game moments later in matches, which Kerkering will likely play a significant role in addressing.

Will Bryson Stott and Orion Kerkering form part of the future for the Phillies? The 2025 season should provide some clarity on this.

Key question : Can Kerkering depend on his sinker? Earlier this year, he mentioned wanting to incorporate more sinkers into his pitching strategy and improve their accuracy. This new approach would serve as an extra weapon for him against a league that has grown increasingly accustomed to facing his signature slider.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : 63 innings pitched, 3.14 earned run average, 73 strikeouts, 18 walks, 1.5 wins above replacement.

Jesús Luzardo

Position : Starter | Age : 27 | Throws : Left

Contract status : $6.225 million salary; retained until 2026.

2025 outlook Luzardo participated in just 12 starts last season due to a lumbar stress reaction, yet everything seems promising this spring. The southpaw demonstrated enhanced speed and has been experimenting with a new slider variant as an additional weapon in his repertoire.

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Key question : Can Luzardo stay healthy? Prior to his back injury before last year, he was sidelined for over two months in 2022 due to a forearm strain. In 2023, he achieved a personal best of 178Ⅱ innings pitched — can he regain that level of performance and endurance?

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : 154 innings pitched, 4.36 earned run average, 160 strikeouts, 54 walks, 1.9 wins above replacement.

Aaron Nola

Position : Starter | Age : 31 | Throws : Right

Contract status The second year of a seven-year, $172 million agreement.

2025 outlook As he enters his age-32 campaign, Nola stands out as one of the most reliable pitchers for the Phillies. Over the past three seasons, he has consistently logged more than 190 innings. Last year, he concluded with an impressive 3.57 ERA and received votes for the Cy Young Award, securing fifth place.

Key question : Is Nola able to restrict the home runs? In 2024, his 1.4 home runs conceded per nine innings was the highest among Phillies starters who weren’t named Taijuan Walker, with Walker allowing 2.6.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : 188 innings pitched, 3.83 earned run average, 185 strikeouts, 41 walks, 3.8 wins above replacement.

Jordan Romano

Position : Reliever | Age : 31 | Throws : Right

Contract status In one year, $8.5 million.

2025 outlook Romano begins this season needing to demonstrate his worth. Previously, he was among the top closers in Major League Baseball when playing for Toronto two years back, securing 36 saves. However, due to an elbow injury during the previous season, the Blue Jays opted not to offer him another contract as his home team in Canada.

Key question : What changes can be expected as Romano adapts to a new position within the relief pitching corps? Under Thomson, the Phillies typically use a closer-by-committee approach. Although Romano is expected to handle many crucial innings, he won't be designated as the exclusive closer.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : 59 innings pitched, 3.77 earned run average, 23 saves, 66 strikeouts, 21 walks, 0.7 wins above replacement.

Joe Ross

Position : Reliever | Age : 31 | Throws : Right

Contract status In one year, $4 million.

2025 outlook Ross is willing to play any role with the Phillies, be it as a multi-inning reliever or as part of the starting rotation depth. He possesses experience in both areas, which was evident during his time with the Brewers last season. Initially, he started games for Milwaukee but shifted to the bullpen after being sidelined for two months due to a back injury. In this new capacity, he excelled; in 15 relief outings, Ross posted an impressive 1.67 ERA versus a 4.98 ERA across 10 starts earlier in the same season.

Key question : What is Ross’ ceiling in the bullpen? Can he be The next Chan Ho Park or Chad Durbin , as the Phillies might be hoping for?

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : 63 innings pitched, 4.74 earned run average, 53 strikeouts, 25 walks, 0.1 wins above replacement.

José Ruiz

Position : Reliever | Age : 30 | Throws : Right

Contract status : $1.225 million salary; retained until 2026.

2025 outlook Ruiz serves as an option for the middle innings out of the bullpen; however, the right-handed pitcher has experience in crucial moments. Last season, he performed well enough to earn 11 opportunities in high-pressure situations, limiting batters to a .200 average when facing him.

Key question : Is he able to reclaim the level of play he showed in the latter part of last season? Prior to the All-Star break, Ruiz had an ERA of 5.08; however, he managed to reduce this figure to 1.99 in the latter part of the season.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : 62 innings pitched, 4.45 earned run average, 62 strikeouts, 25 walks, 0.1 wins above replacement.

Cristopher Sánchez

Position : Starter | Age : 28 | Throws : Left

Contract status : The initial year of a four-year, $22.5 million agreement; with team options available for 2029 and 2030.

2025 outlook Sánchez’s rapid ascent to becoming a key figure in the starting rotation hit new heights when he was chosen as the opening day starter for the Phillies’ home game. His primary asset, his changeup, registered a remarkable 34.8% swing-and-miss rate during 2024. However, Sánchez’s repertoire might become even deadlier this season if he manages to maintain the higher velocities he demonstrated consistently through spring training. Although Sánchez is no longer an unfamiliar face in the league, he brings additional weapons into play, including a refined slider .

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Key question : Is Sánchez able to enhance his performance on the road? Sánchez’s 2.21 ERA at home in 2024 was far better than his 5.02 ERA away from Citizens Bank Park. Neither the Phillies nor Sánchez himself were sure why that was the case, but Sánchez asked for more road starts in spring training to get comfortable with the routine.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : 172 innings pitched, 3.87 earned run average, 145 strikeouts, 45 walks, 2.9 wins above replacement.

Matt Strahm

Position : Reliever | Age : 33 | Throws : Left

Contract status For the third year of his contract, he will receive two deals each spanning three years for a total of $22.5 million; in 2026, there’s either a club/vesting option worth $4.5 million or a choice between that and an additional $3 million making it $7.5 million overall.

2025 outlook Strahm experienced an initial setback during training when he hurt his left shoulder, which kept him sidelined for ten days. Despite this, the southpaw managed to recuperate in time for the season opener and even introduced a new pitch into his repertoire. Strahm began experimenting with this additional offering. a new changeup That he wishes to bring along into the regular season.

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Key question : Is there another milestone for Strahm to attain? Last season marked the peak of his career, underscored by his All-Star selection and a remarkable 1.87 ERA. His ambition is to continue playing until he reaches 40 years old, and perhaps acquiring a new pitch could aid him in achieving this goal.

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : 66 innings pitched, 3.23 earned run average, 77 strikeouts, 15 walks, 0.8 wins above replacement.

Ranger Suárez

Position : Starter | Age : 29 | Throws : Left

Contract status : A $8.8 million contract in the concluding year of arbitration.

2025 outlook Suárez will begin the season on the injured list due to back tightness. Although the southpaw claims it’s not as serious as the previous issue in the same area of his back that kept him out for a month in 2024, he isn’t starting off on the right foot health-wise like he had planned. Suárez participated in just two Grapefruit League games this spring; while his control was impressive, his speed declined.

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Key question : Can Suárez’s back stay healthy? Back issues eventually brought an end to what could have been a Cy Young-worthy performance for Suárez last year. Is this a lingering issue he'll need to address throughout his career?

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : 155 innings pitched, 3.64 earned run average, 139 strikeouts, 48 walks, 2.8 wins above replacement.

Taijuan Walker

Position : Starter | Age : 32 | Throws : Right

Contract status The third year of a four-year, $72 million agreement.

2025 outlook : Walker will be the first to inform you That his 2024 campaign "turned out to be quite poor." Declines in multiple statistical areas led to him losing his spot in the starting rotation, and he began spring training without a secure position. However, aiming to leave that underperforming season in the past, Walker exhibited promising performances during the Grapefruit League games. an uptick in velocity The Phillies extended him as a starting pitcher during spring training, and due to Suárez’s back injury, he’ll have an early chance in the rotation. However, upon Suárez’s return and with top prospect Andrew Painter set for his anticipated mid-year start, it appears that Walker’s long-term role in Philadelphia might shift to relief pitching.

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Key question : Could Walker’s abilities be effective in the bullpen? Last season, he participated briefly during auditions before the Phillies asked him to revert back to starting. However, his performance wasn't significantly improved whether as a reliever—where he posted a 6.52 ERA over 9⅔ innings—or as a starter, where his ERA was even higher at 7.18 across 15 outings. With his recently increased velocity, could this be key for adapting effectively to what might become a new bullpen role following years of experience exclusively as a starter?

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : 74 innings pitched, 5.13 earned run average, 51 strikeouts, 27 walks, 0.0 wins above replacement.

Zack Wheeler

Position : Starter | Age : 34 | Throws : Right

Contract status Starts a three-year contract extension worth $126 million.

2025 outlook Wheeler is at the forefront of one of the most formidable pitching rotations in baseball. This year, he hasn’t introduced any new techniques to his repertoire following the addition of a splitter in 2024 and a sweeping pitch the previous season. Instead, Philadelphia’s Opening Day pitcher is sticking with what has proven effective for him so far.

Hayes: Fans who have everything should be grateful for Harper and Wheeler, the second most outstanding duo in Phillies history.

Key question : Could this be the year at last? In 2024, Wheeler came close but had to settle for being the runner-up to Chris Sale in the National League Cy Young Award voting. Despite throwing an impressive 200 innings with his best-ever WHIP of 0.955, he missed out on the top spot. This mirrors what happened three years earlier when he placed second behind Corbin Burnes. Could this be the year Wheeler reaches the pinnacle?

Stats projection from ZiPS DC : 203 innings pitched, 3.28 earned run average, 213 strikeouts, 54 walks, 4.8 wins above replacement.

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