Predicting Phillies' 2021 Opening Day roster
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Opening Day is Thursday.
Here is MLB.com’s latest shot at the Phillies’ projected Opening Day roster:
Catcher (2): J.T. Realmuto and Andrew Knapp
Realmuto’s fractured right thumb is healed. He is playing again, and he will be in the Opening Day lineup.
First base (1): Rhys Hoskins
Since Hoskins made his big league debut on Aug. 10, 2017, he ranks 12th in baseball in home runs (91) and is tied for 36th out of 381 qualified players with an .861 OPS.
Second base (1): Jean Segura
Segura focused last season on making more quality contact and raising his on-base percentage. It remains the focus in 2021.
Third base (1): Alec Bohm
Bohm impressed everybody as a rookie last season, particularly offensively. He spoke earlier this month about his approach at the plate.
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Shortstop (1): Didi Gregorius
If Gregorius matches his 2020 production (.284/.339/.488 slash line) and he remains the team’s No. 5 or 6 hitter like last season, the Phillies are probably going to score a ton of runs.
Outfield (5): Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen, Odúbel Herrera, Roman Quinn and Matt Joyce
The Phillies announced Friday that Joyce made the team, joining Harper and McCutchen as locks.
Herrera has arguably outplayed the other players competing for a job in center field. He is not on the 40-man roster, but he still might be the favorite for the job. Quinn is out of options, which will be a consideration. Adam Haseley missed most of the month because of a strained left adductor. If the Phillies believe Haseley needs more at-bats, he could start in Minor League camp. If the Phillies believe he is ready, he could bump out Herrera or Quinn.
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Utility (2): Brad Miller and Ronald Torreyes
The Phillies optioned Scott Kingery on Sunday, putting Torreyes on the team, according to Joe Girardi. Miller played Sunday after being sidelined recently with an oblique issue. He appears to be OK.
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Rotation (5): Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Zach Eflin, Matt Moore and Chase Anderson
Eflin is scheduled to start Monday after missing time last week because of lower back issues. It is a relief for the Phillies, who lack starting pitching depth.
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Relievers (8): Archie Bradley, Héctor Neris, José Alvarado, Connor Brogdon, Brandon Kintzler, Vince Velasquez, Sam Coonrod, and David Hale
The bullpen became set on Sunday, when the Phillies optioned left-hander JoJo Romero to Minor League camp. It was a relatively surprising move because it leaves Alvarado as the only left-hander in the eight-man bullpen. Girardi has not named a closer, but if the Phillies want to make Alvarado available in the middle innings, it will be Neris or Bradley. Brogdon and Coonrod are young power arms. Kintzler is a veteran with a solid track record. Velasquez and Hale both provide length if the Phillies need it.