Four months ago, the Phillies limped to an unsatisfactory conclusion to the 2024 season. After winning 95 games and earning a bye in the National League playoffs, they were clipped in the NLDS against a red-hot New York Mets team. Losing to a rival in the postseason is tough enough—but to watch them sign the biggest free agent in recent memory after the season only adds to the pressure Philadelphia’s franchise is feeling.
After a surprising run to the World Series in 2022, followed by big spending and big expectations, they have fallen one round earlier each season since losing to the Astros 3 years ago. As the top of the National League continues to grow stronger through big spending, Philadelphia already did their spending over the last few offseasons. With a core getting closer to their mid-30s and a few key players nearing free agency, the club’s championship window is getting smaller.
Philadelphia’s infield was seemingly set before the offseason even began. While there were rumblings of potential trades involving third baseman Alec Bohm, none of those rumors turned into truth, and the Phillies will rely on their homegrown third baseman to find some consistency in his last year of team control.
PSN is breaking down each position group for you to get ready for Spring Training, and today we bring you our thoughts on Philadelphia’s infield. Starters, depth options, and what they need to do to reach the promised land.
Phillies Starters
Barring a significant injury or a last-minute, unexpected trade, Philly’s starting infield is locked up. Bryce Harper will enter his second season as a first baseman, Bryson Stott will once again man the keystone, Trea Turner will take his place back at shortstop, and Bohm will be the everyday third baseman.
Harper is the de facto captain of the offense. The two-time MVP is the best hitter in Philadelphia’s lineup and one of the best of his generation. After a few injury-marred seasons, Harper played in 145 contests during the regular season—the most since his first season donning the red pinstripes. For the first time in a long time, Bryce will have nothing major to deal with coming into a season.
He’s healthy, he isn’t learning a new position like last year, and there’s no questioning those two things in the media—it is obvious he is ready for the season and has certainly found his place on defense. After a midsummer downswing, Harper finished 2024 strong, and that carried into the playoffs. Harper will be ready to show that he’s still one of the best hitters in all of baseball.
Bryson Stott is entrenched as the Phillies second baseman. In his age-26 season, Stott was a finalist for the National League Gold Glove after amassing 7 Defensive Runs Saved—good for fourth among NL second basemen. After taking a big step forward offensively in 2023, Stott got off to a slow start in 2024 and never really found the rhythm he had just the year prior. His average and slugging were both down in all scenarios, but most concerning was his success against left-handed pitching all but vanished. The fourth-year player was stuck between two approaches last season, so he will focus on finding consistency during Spring Training.
Trea Turner was signed as a superstar shortstop, and he can find himself there once again, despite his struggles defensively. Not known as a Gold Glove-caliber fielder, the Phillies likely still expected more than what the 31-year-old has given them in the field. At the end of last season, Tim Kelly from On Pattison broke down some of the $300 million man’s struggles in the field. Since joining the Phillies, Turner has -26 defensive runs saved (DRS) and -8 outs above average at shortstop. Over that two-year period, Turner has rough defensive marks no matter how you look at it:
- His -26 DRS is tied for the worst mark among defenders at any position (per FanGraphs)
- He’s had -8 outs above average (OAA), which is 5th worst among SS
- His .960 fielding percentage ranks him the 2nd worst SS
- 3rd in throwing errors (18)
- 2nd in fielding errors (22)
- 2nd in total errors (40)
The coaching staff will work with Turner on improving his defense to the levels he reached prior to joining Philadelphia. While his position isn’t changing in the field, he may find himself moving in the batting order. Manager Rob Thomson recently confirmed during an appearance on The Phillies Show podcast that changes are being discussed. When asked about switching the lineup around and possibly finding a new lead-off hitter, Thomson came up with just one name:
“I think you’re probably talking about Trea [Turner],” said Thomson.
My prediction is that Turner finds himself moving to the top of the order, while Kyle Schwarber moves down to bat cleanup. In order to keep the right-left-right-left pattern, this would put Harper in the No. 2 slot in the lineup. That would likely lead to Bohm batting 3rd.
Speaking of Bohm, the aforementioned trade rumors turned out to be just that—rumors. Rob Thomson has publicly said any time he’s been asked that he spoke with his third baseman and made clear that they were not actively shopping him, but that the Phillies owed it to themselves to hear out anyone who called about him.
Bohm was an All-Star for the first time last season. The first half of his year was great, but he struggled in the second half while dealing with a hand injury. Despite that, he led the Phillies in doubles with 44—good for 5th in the majors—and had the 2nd most RBIs on the team. Tim Kelly had the opportunity to speak to Bohm now that players have begun reporting for Spring Training. He spoke about how the injury may have lingered more than he initially thought.
“When I started hitting again in the offseason, I realized that it hurt worse than I thought it had hurt,” Bohm admitted. “But I was out there playing, so I feel like if I’m out there playing, it’s not like I can’t do anything. But at the same time, I’m sure a stronger left hand would have helped somewhere, maybe.
Entering his last year under Phillies team control, he will need to have a season similar to his 2024 first half for the entire season if he wants a major payday in his first crack at free agency.
Phillies Reserves
There are 2 spots that an infielder could occupy on Philly’s bench. One will most definitely be occupied by Edmundo Sosa. The utility infielder came up big for the Phillies in 2024. In early May, he filled in admirably for Turner while he dealt with an injury. Sosa had a .972 OPS in May, one of the best numbers in all of baseball that month. He will be the primary option off the bench in the infield and when needing a pinch hitter.
From there, you have to still account for the backup catcher and Johan Rojas being an extra outfielder off the bench. That leaves one additional bench spot. Weston Wilson, Kody Clemens, Buddy Kennedy, and newly signed Christian Arroyo will compete for that final spot. The front office has expressed wanting someone who can play both infield and outfield in that position, if possible. Wilson shows the most potential with slugging ability and speed. He does, however, have minor league options remaining, which is a disadvantage for him in the race for the final bench spot. Clemens has shown over the last few seasons that he is a major-league talent.
He has options left; he would almost certainly be claimed off waivers if the Phillies decided he was not the right guy to break camp with. Kennedy is a longer shot and is a nice depth piece, but he also has no options. He would likely pass through waivers, giving the Phillies a chance to keep him around. Arroyo is a former first-round draft pick, and while he was primarily an infielder, he does have some experience in the outfield corners at the major league level. He signed a minor league deal, so unless he significantly stands out, he will likely remain as a depth option and start the year in Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
My prediction is that Kody Clemens makes the roster out of spring. He has positional flexibility and allows extra depth to be kept in the organization without risk. Regardless of who the last man is, one thing is for sure—the infield is the strength of the offense. If Bohm can find consistency, Stott can hit closer to how he did in 2023, and the depth continues to do what they’ve done the last three seasons—they will be one of, if not the best, infields in baseball.
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
