Way Too Early Predictions: Predicting the Phillies 2022 Playoff Roster

The Philadelphia Phillies are going to make the playoffs.

I don’t want to jinx it, but Phillies fever has me in a frenzy. It would be the first time since 2011 and the first time for over 60% of the current roster.

The iteration of a playoff roster that you’ll read more about later (please, need beer money) only features 106 total playoff games played. This is what it looks like:

There isn’t a single home-grown playoff appearance on the Phillies’ 26-man roster. We’re all holding our breath and hoping that changes this year, so here’s my ‘way too early’ Phillies playoff roster. Tell me I’m wrong.

Playing God with the Phillies Playoff Roster

Starting Pitchers:

Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez, Noah Syndergaard

I believe the Phillies will ultimately opt for a four-man rotation come the playoffs. These are those four.

With a Wildcard appearance just about the only road for the Phillies to the playoffs, the first two games are a no-brainer: a healthy Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. On a good night, those two can get through a three-game series, the new wildcard format, with the best of them.

If the Phillies end up in a Game 3, this is where it gets interesting. Suárez probably deserves the spot based on performance alone, but it makes me nervous.

You could also lean on the hard-throwing Syndergaard, who has a 2.42 ERA in all playoff appearances but hasn’t been back since 2016. Funny enough, Syndergaard would be the only member of this group that’s ever seen playoff action.

Notably missing are Kyle Gibson and Zach Eflin. Gibson’s been too inconsistent of late, and I don’t trust Eflin to return to playoff form after not pitching since the end of June.

The name of the game is to win two. The Phillies are least have the arms to get that done.

Phillies Bullpen:

Seranthony Domínguez, Brad Hand, David Robertson, Bailey Falter, José Alvarado, Andrew Bellatti, Connor Brogdon, Mark Appel, Kyle Gibson

The most significant question mark is that first name: sometimes closer Seranthony Domínguez. He’s beginning a rehab assignment, along with Eflin, which is promising, but he’s another question mark.

Brad Hand, David Robertson, José Alvarado, Andrew Bellatti, and Connor Brogdon are all here, with Robertson remaining the most likely to gobble up save situations.

Bailey Falter and Kyle Gibson make sense as long men. Falter deserves a spot after his performance over the last month, and Gibson is just the best of the remaining options and still good for a spot start if the Phillies win and advance.

Mark Appel is my reach, but it’s a fun story, and baseball needs storylines.

Infield:

Rhys Hoskins, Alec Bohm, Jean Segura, Bryson Stott, Edmundo Sosa, Darick Hall

Rhys Hoskins, Alec Bohm, and Jean Segura make up your reliable core. This would be the first playoff appearance for all three, even for the veteran Segura.

As much as I love Bryson Stott, I’m not ready to crown him World Series MVP. A little September wrinkle is that he’s been fighting with Edmundo Sosa for playing time, given his recent emergence. Still, no-shot Stott isn’t missing the playoffs.

Sosa indeed has performed admirably since being acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals. You could play around with the re-emergence of Johan Camargo or Yairo Muñoz but let’s not overthink this. Sosa has earned his spot.

I’d also love to see Darick Hall return. He gets the last spot over Nick Maton. At the very least, he could provide dangerous power off the bench and make himself a hero the Phillies haven’t seen since the likes of Matt Stairs.

Outfield:

Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Matt Vierling, Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh

A few months ago, Kyle Schwarber was keeping pace with Aaron Judge’s home run total. Schwarber will likely finish with at least the most in the National League. That’s something.

Bryce Harper certainly hasn’t struggled since returning, but he’s yet to hit his 16th home run of the season. He’s on pace for his fewest longballs since 2014 (excluding 2020). Still, not many players you’d rather have on your side for October.

Nick Castellanos, another injured Phil, continues to nurse his oblique but barring any setbacks, he’ll be ready to return to the playoffs, his first time since 2020.

Matt Vierling and Brandon Marsh round out the group. Vierling’s been a nice story. He reminds me of Adam Haseley gone right.

Catchers:

J.T. Realmuto & Garrett Stubbs

This is the easiest group to predict. J.T. Realmuto’s still the best catcher in baseball, and Garrett Stubbs has been surprisingly spry in his limited action.

Trivia – more playoff games between the two? Stubbs, who appeared in two games for the Houston Astros but never recorded an at-bat.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu