Revisiting the Phils' 25-man roster projection

March 4th, 2019

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Bryce Harper arrived on Saturday, and everything changed for the Phillies.

Everything is bigger and better: Expectations, ticket sales, merchandise sales, everything.

Opening Day is only 24 days away, but the first few weeks of camp have been focused on the Phillies’ pursuit of Harper. But now that he has signed a record-breaking 13-year, $330 million contract, the focus can return to the field.

Here is an updated roster projection, with a few weeks remaining before the March 28 season opener against the Braves:

Catcher (2): J.T. Realmuto, Andrew Knapp

Nothing has changed here, other than Harper said during his press conference that Realmuto is his favorite player in baseball. Who knew? We knew that Harper wanted the Nationals to acquire Realmuto before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline last year, but his favorite player in baseball?

First base (1): Rhys Hoskins

Hoskins had a gut feeling throughout the offseason that the Phillies would sign Harper or Manny Machado. While he would have been cool if the Phillies signed Machado, he sure is happy they signed his buddy instead.

Second base (1): Cesar Hernandez

Hernandez is nursing a Grade 1 strain in his right hip flexor, but nobody seems to think it will linger. The only question here is where Hernandez slots into the Phillies’ lineup. Manager Gabe Kapler said he likes him in the leadoff spot.

Third base (1): Maikel Franco

Franco has been chipper since the Padres signed Machado to a 10-year, $300 million contract, because he knows he is likely to receive the bulk of playing time at third base. But Scott Kingery will push him. Franco is hitting .176 (3-for-17) with one home run, six RBIs, one walk and five strikeouts this spring. Kingery is hitting .294 (5-for-17) with one double, one triple, one RBI, two walks and five strikeouts.

Shortstop (1): Jean Segura

Segura looks every bit the player the Phillies thought they were getting when they acquired him over the offseason. He is batting .429 (6-for-14) with one RBI, one walk and one strikeout.

Outfield (5): Harper, Andrew McCutchen, Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams, Aaron Altherr

There really is no way to know what the Phillies’ outfield will look like on Opening Day, because at any moment the Phillies could make a trade to clear a logjam of talent. We know Harper and McCutchen will be the starters in right field and left field, respectively, which leaves Williams without a place to play regularly. Williams said Sunday that he knows he could be traded, although he is trying not to think about it.

Herrera, Altherr and Roman Quinn will fight for playing time in center field. Herrera (strained left hamstring) and Quinn (strained right oblique) are both battling injuries right now, so perhaps that comes into play. The fact that Quinn and Altherr are out of options is a factor, too.

Oh, and has anybody noticed that Dylan Cozens has been a beast the first couple weeks of camp? He is batting .500 (7-for-14) with two doubles, two home runs, five RBIs, four walks and four strikeouts. If Cozens continues to put the ball in play and post big numbers, it will be interesting to see how the Phillies handle him in the future.

Utility (1): Kingery

Kingery’s best bet for plate appearances will come at third base, although he could occasionally spell Segura and Hernandez in the middle infield.

Starting pitcher (5): Aaron Nola, Jake Arrieta, Nick Pivetta, Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez

The Phillies’ rotation will be scrutinized early in the season because the front office left it alone this offseason, instead focusing on upgrading the offense, defense and bullpen. A source said recently that the Phillies are very unlikely to sign free-agent left-hander Dallas Keuchel, unless he becomes available on a short-term deal.

That means the Phillies are putting their faith into projections that suggest Pivetta, Eflin and Velasquez will be better in 2019. Arrieta pitched three perfect innings on Sunday in his Grapefruit League debut against the Twins, which was an encouraging sign.

Relief pitcher (8): David Robertson, Seranthony Dominguez, Hector Neris, Pat Neshek, Tommy Hunter, Adam Morgan, Jose Alvarez, Juan Nicasio

Hunter has a Grade 1 flexor strain in his right arm and he might not begin throwing again until this weekend. It is unclear if he will be ready by Opening Day, but for now he remains in the projected bullpen. If Hunter is unable to pitch, the Phillies have plenty of options.

Right-handers Victor Arano, Edubray Ramos and Yacksel Rios, and left-handers James Pazos and Austin Davis all have options remaining. They are candidates to replace Hunter or anybody else if something happens between now and the end of camp.

Here is a quick look at the projected 25:

CATCHERS
J.T. Realmuto
Andrew Knapp

INFIELDERS
Rhys Hoskins
Cesar Hernandez
Maikel Franco
Jean Segura

OUTFIELDERS
Bryce Harper
Andrew McCutchen
Odubel Herrera
Nick Williams
Aaron Altherr

UTILITY PLAYERS
Scott Kingery

STARTING PITCHERS
Aaron Nola
Jake Arrieta
Nick Pivetta
Zach Eflin
Vince Velasquez

RELIEF PITCHERS
David Robertson
Seranthony Dominguez
Hector Neris
Tommy Hunter
Pat Neshek
Adam Morgan
Jose Alvarez
Juan Nicasio