PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Does time seem to be moving faster than usual? It’s been five months since the Phillies lost the World Series (wow) and now Opening Day is here.
The Phillies wrapped up 2023 spring training in Clearwater, Florida, with a win on Tuesday over Toronto, 6-5.
First baseman (and potential designated hitter) Darick Hall capped the game with a double to left-center field. Hall is a lock to make the Opening Day roster with first baseman Rhys Hoskins out for the season with a torn ACL.
The Phils will be without Bryce Harper for a while, too. Harper aims to return somewhere around the All-Star break. Left-handed pitcher Ranger Suarez will more than likely open the season on the injured list as he deals with elbow inflammation.
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Prospect Andrew Painter was expected to battle for a rotation spot this spring; however he’s been shut down with a mild UCL sprain. His expected return to the mound is still up in the air.
The Phillies are thin all around, but especially in the rotation.
Aaron Nola will toe the rubber against Texas Rangers’ new ace Jacob Degrom. Nola will be followed by Zack Wheeler, Bailey Falter and new Phillie Taijuan Walker. Falter was on the edge of being bumped from the rotation heading into spring training, but now he expects to get some considerable work. Falter was 6-4 with a 3.86 ERA during the recent regular season and got one start in the postseason.
To round things out, at least in the first week, newly signed southpaw Matt Strahm will head from the bullpen to the rotation.
These starting pitching woes are leaking into the bullpen, as the team may be subject to more than just one bullpen game early on. On paper, it seems to have strengthened, with the signings of Strahm, former elite closer Craig Kimbrel, and the trade for left-handed flame thrower Gregory Soto. Seranthony Dominguez returns after a solid postseason, and hard-throwing lefty Jose Alvarado will also make his way back.
The pen has some extra openings to start the season with Strahm stretched out for the fifth starter spot. Connor Brogdon and Andrew Bellatti will join the group and newcomers Yunior Marte and Andrew will round things out.
Numerous analysts expected the Phillies' lineup to be among the best in baseball, however with Hoskins' and Harper's injuries, the lineup is not nearly as potent to start the season.
The Phillies can do a few things to make up for losing Hoskins. They could use Darick Hall as a designated hitter, slide Alec Bohm over to first base, and play Edmundo Sosa at third base. They could also keep Bohm at third, have Hall play first, and use their ‘DH’ spot for Nick Castellanos or Kyle Schwarber. The open outfield spots will feature Cristian Pache who was just acquired from Oakland and Jake Cave, who has shined this spring with a .462 average, three home runs and 14 RBI.
The biggest signing this offseason for the Phillies was shortstop Trea Turner. He’ll certainly bring some speed and overall batting excellence to the top of the lineup. The Phillies, however, will be relying even more on some of their younger players, like middle infielder Bryson Stott and outfielder Brandon Marsh to take the next step.
Utility man Josh Harrison is also new to the Phillies. He’ll get some playing time.
JT Realmuto and Garrett Stubbs will settle in behind the plate.
If the Phillies hope to return to the postseason and make a run, many ‘non-stars’ will have to take the next step.