Spring Training Baseball is upon us as the Philadelphia Phillies have completed the first two games of their 2025 Spring Training slate. The Phillies dropped both contests to the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles by respective scores of 7-6 and 6-1.
Four Phillies slugged home runs over the first two games while several big leaguers began to get their reps in as well.
How the Games Progressed
The first bit of Spring Training action came a short drive away in Lakeland, Fla., against the Tigers. After a scoreless first two frames, Cal Stevenson notched the first base hit of the Spring for the Phillies, a double into left field. The first baserunner then became the first run scored as Johan Rojas fought off a slider inside to bring in Stevenson. Following a walk from Bryson Stott and an Alec Bohm single, Max Kepler batted in two of his new teammates on a single of his own to give the Phillies a 3-0 lead.
Kepler worked a walk in his next plate appearance, putting a runner on base for Buddy Kennedy as he slugged the Phillies’ first home run of the spring. Weston Wilson had earned the honor both of the previous two springs but was recently shut down for six weeks due to a strained oblique.
The Phillies notched one more run on the day, a solo home run from Josh Breaux, a catcher who the Phillies picked up last year after he was released by the New York Yankees.
The Phillies did drop the game 7-6, but none of the pitchers who appeared in the contest project to make the Phillies’ Opening Day roster.
In Sunday’s home opener against the Orioles, the Phillies found themselves down quickly. Tyler Phillips, who recorded seven starts with the Phillies in 2024, allowed three runs over two innings against the Orioles.
The Orioles picked up four additional runs over the course of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and ninth innings against pitchers Kyle Tyler, John McMillon, Tristan Barnett, and Cody Stashak.
In proper Philadelphia style, the long ball was the source of much of the Phillies’ offense. Christian Arroyo slugged a solo shot onto the left field concourse in the bottom of the third.
A few innings later, in the bottom of the seventh, prospect Justin Crawford slipped a single through a defensive shift before Gabriel Rincones Jr. hit a two-run shot over the berm in right center field.
Overall, the Phillies dropped the contest 7-3.
Takeaways from Phillies Early Start
Every player that steps onto the diamond wants to win on any given day, but Spring Training has no weight to wins and losses whatsoever. The important thing is allowing players to get work in, figure out position battles, and stay healthy throughout the process.
The most interesting players to follow after the first two games are Buddy Kennedy and Cal Stevenson. Both will battle for what is likely the final roster spot, a backup outfield/utility position. Both players are 1-for-4 thus far with an extra base hit, a run scored, and a walk. Kennedy’s hit went a lot further, but Stevenson has plenty of time to make his case. Following Wilson’s injury, the battle will likely come down to Kennedy, Stevenson, and Kody Clemens, all of whom saw time in the big leagues in 2024. Clemens is 1-for-2 thus far.
Alec Bohm, Johan Rojas, Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh, Kyle Schwarber, Bryson Stott, and Edmundo Sosa have all seen action thus far for the Phillies. Phillips is the only familiar face to pitch for the Phillies in the first two contests.
Top prospects Aidan Miller and Justin Crawford made appearances in both games over the weekend. The pair are likely to not make an impact at the Major League level this season, but they have the potential to be cornerstone pieces of the Phillies’ lineup for years to come.
What’s Next?
Philadelphia will host the Pittsburgh Pirates and are scheduled to see Paul Skenes on Monday. The contest will start at 1:05 P.M. and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Philadelphia+.
Cristopher Sanchez is scheduled to start on Monday with Joe Ross slated for the start on Tuesday at the Tampa Bay Rays. Zack Wheeler and Jesus Luzardo are also slated to make their Spring Training debuts later this week for the Phillies.
