PHILADELPHIA— On February 12th, pitchers and catchers will report in Clearwater, Florida to start Spring Training 2025.
The Philadelphia Phillies will enter camp as the National League East champions for the first time since the start of the 2012 season. The Phillies have made the post-season in three consecutive seasons, with a trip to the World Series in 2022. Like all hopeful teams, the organization hopes Spring Training is the start of a championship season.
While all players are looking for a good ramp-up for the regular season, the Phillies have several players who need strong performances in Spring Training. These players are either fighting for a spot on the Opening Day roster or looking to earn an important role with the team.
3. Taijuan Walker
Two seasons ago, the Philadelphia Phillies signed Taijuan Walker to anchor the bottom of their starting rotation.
Walker, a veteran right-hander, had a productive season in 2023. He went 15-6 in 31 starts for the Phillies, pitching to a 4.38 earned run average in 172.2 innings. Walker performed well for his role, as a fifth starter. However, he did not replicate that same success in 2024.
Last year, Taijuan battled the injury bug for most of the season. He spent time on the Injured List for his foot, right shoulder, and right index finger. His velocity and command dropped off, and by season’s end, he was reserved for cleanup work.
In 2024, Walker pitched to a 3-7 record, with a 7.10 earned run average. He lost his spot in the starting rotation and will have to earn a place on the roster come Spring Training.
If Taijuan Walker wants to remain with the Phillies, he must bounce back in Spring Training. The team has committed to giving Walker a chance to prove himself but will not commit to him in the rotation. Taijaun will have to improve his velocity and command in his opportunities, or else he might be wearing another uniform in 2025.
2. Jose Alvarado
Heading into his fifth season with the Philadelphia Phillies, Jose Alvarado has people asking similar questions to year one.
After a stretch of dominance in 2022 and 2023, Jose began to regress in 2024. He started the season as the Phillies “closer.” The closer job is not used in the traditional fashion under Rob Thomson, as he typically does not nominate a specific player for this role. A battle with minor injuries and a personal leave of absence interrupted Jose’s chances of getting into a groove. The on and off again pitching might have led to his decrease in performance.
As Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman began to shine last season, Jose was removed from his standard high-leverage usage. That trend continued later in the year once the Phillies acquired Carlos Estevez from the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline. When it came to the post-season, Alvarado got a chance to pitch in Game 3, where he was tagged for two earned runs in just 2/3 of an inning.
For 2025, Jose Alvarado needs to prove that he can deliver in the game’s most important moments. While Spring Training will not provide those situations, pitching well in Spring Training will help earn Jose’s favor with the team’s management. If Alvarado can shine this Spring Training, chances are he will find himself back in a high-leverage role for the Phillies when the team heads north to Washington on March 27th.
1. Kody Clemens
Spring Training 2025 will shape Kody Clemens’ future with the Phillies.
Joining the club in 2023 via a trade with the Detroit Tigers, Clemens has thrived in a bench role for Philadelphia. Kody has proven he has the clutch gene, providing heroics with his late-game situational hitting. Any time the Phillies have asked Kody Clemens to come up big, he has done so.
Manager Rob Thomson thought so highly of him last season that Clemens came off the bench in each playoff game against the Mets during the Divisional Series.
Even though he has played well in his opportunities, Kody does not have a guaranteed spot with the big league club. With the starting lineup locked in, the Phillies’ bench positions are up for grabs. Players such as Edmundo Sosa, Weston Wilson, and Buddy Kennedy are all infielders trying to battle Kody and earn a spot on the 26-man roster.
Performing well in Spring Training will give Kody Clemens the inside track to head to D.C. with the team. If he doesn’t however, the Phillies cannot send Clemens to the minor leagues without putting him through waivers. He is out of options, meaning any team would be able to claim Kody if the Phillies tried to demote him again. With how well he has played in recent years, plenty of teams could use his services.
How the next few weeks shape out will be entirely up to Kody Clemens. He will be a key player to watch once game action starts next month.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
