{"id":68129,"date":"2024-03-12T08:00:51","date_gmt":"2024-03-12T12:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=68129"},"modified":"2024-03-12T00:56:49","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T04:56:49","slug":"phillies-opening-day-roster-prediction-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/03\/12\/phillies-opening-day-roster-prediction-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Predicting the 2024 Phillies Opening Day Roster"},"content":{"rendered":"

With March 28 quickly approaching, it is time for a Philadelphia Phillies Opening Day roster prediction. The Phillies open the regular season facing the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds in two three-game home series. Some tough decisions will need to be made when constructing the 26-man roster for Opening Day. This is because some of the players fighting for roster spots do not have any minor league options<\/a> available. The number of minor league options a player has left will specifically come into play in the position battles<\/a> the Phillies are having for bullpen spots and the starting center field job which impacts the bench.<\/p>\n

Phillies Opening Day Roster Prediction<\/h2>\n

Starting Pitchers<\/h3>\n

Aaron Nola<\/a>, Ranger Su\u00e1rez<\/a><\/em>, <\/span>Cristopher<\/em> S\u00e1nchez<\/a>, Taijuan Walker<\/a>, Zack Wheeler<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The starting rotation seems to be set for the Phillies. While there have been rumors about the team potentially signing Blake Snell<\/a> or Jordan Montgomery<\/a>, it now looks like they will sign neither. It remains unknown whether Aaron Nola will extend his Opening Day start streak or if Zack Wheeler will get the honor. Ranger Su\u00e1rez should be the third starter in the rotation. Either Taijuan Walker or\u00a0 Cristopher S\u00e1nchez will likely be the fourth starter with the other one being the fifth starter in the rotation. The ordering of Walker and S\u00e1nchez is the current debate about the five starters. Other than that, the rotation is set and ready to go for the 2024 season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Relief Pitchers<\/h3>\n

Jos\u00e9 Alvarado<\/a>, Max Castillo<\/a>, <\/span><\/em>Seranthony<\/em> <\/span>Dom\u00ednguez<\/span><\/em><\/a>,<\/em> Jeff Hoffman<\/a>, Orion Kerkering<\/a>, Yunior Marte<\/a>, Gregory Soto<\/a>, Matt Strahm<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

There are two bullpen spots up for grabs that should go to Max Castillo and Yunior Marte. Castillo should win the Phillies long relief pitcher job, while Marte fills the other open bullpen spot. With Dylan Covey<\/a> suffering an injury<\/a> that may put him on the injured list<\/a> to start the season, the long relief spot is wide open. The other competitors for the role include Spencer Turnbull<\/a>, who some expect to get the job, as well as Kolby Allard<\/a> and Nick Nelson<\/a>. Castillo has a 5.63 ERA and a 1.500 WHIP with five strikeouts in three appearances this spring. Meanwhile, Marte has not allowed an earned run in five spring training appearances. Andrew Bellatti<\/a> has had a good spring as well, but is not on the 40-man roster, giving Marte the advantage.<\/p>\n

Catchers<\/h3>\n

J.T. Realmuto<\/a>, Garrett Stubbs<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The catcher position is set for the Phillies. While Aramis Garcia<\/a> has had a good spring, it is not enough to surpass Garrett Stubbs to be the backup for J.T. Realmuto this season. Additionally, Garcia is not on the 40-man roster. Garcia has a .476\/.542\/.810 slash line with one home run and seven RBI in spring training. This will be the third season that Stubbs has been the backup for Realmuto. Stubbs has also had impressive numbers in spring training, with a .429\/.529\/.500 line, no home runs and two RBI. This is one of the positions where there is little to no debate on who should get a roster spot. The catching duo of Realmuto and Stubbs will continue for another season.<\/p>\n

Infielders<\/h3>\n

Alec Bohm<\/a>, Bryce Harper<\/a>, Whit Merrifield<\/a>, Edmundo Sosa<\/a>, Bryson Stott<\/a>, Trea Turner<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

This is another position area with little to no debate. The starting infield of Bryce Harper and Bryson Stott on the left side and Alec Bohm and Trea Turner on the right side is one of the best in the game. On the bench, Whit Merrifield is listed as an infielder but can also play the outfield. Merrifield will probably get more starts in the outfield than the infield given the situation surrounding the starting center field job. Also in a bench role will be Edmundo Sosa, who can play three of the four infield positions. The lone infield position that Sosa has not played in the major leagues is first base. Sosa has also played in the outfield on a few occasions.<\/p>\n

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“Those two guys are trying to get as much work in now as possible.”@TMacPhils<\/a> on how Trea Turner and Bryson Stott are meshing as a middle infield tandem and what this @Phillies<\/a> lineup may look like at full strength.@alannarizzo<\/a> | #HighHeat<\/a> | #SpringTraining<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/K4LKGJs64o<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 3, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n