Philadelphia Phillies 2025 Season Prep: Lineup Shifts And New Pitching Strategies

With the confetti from the Eagles capturing their second Super Bowl barely finished falling, the attention turns to the Philadelphia Phillies as they prepare to head to Clearwater to open Spring Training for the 2025 season. The team has a very similar look to the team that was eliminated by the New York Mets back in October and reports for physicals on Tuesday, with pitchers and catchers on Wednesday.

Dave Dombrowski is essentially banking on the team's offense heating up at the right time in one of these postseason appearances, something that has doomed them in their past failures.

As of this writing, the lineup remains mostly intact, with newcomer Max Kepler the one new face.

The lineup construction will likely be a hot topic in Clearwater with manager Rob Thomson acknowledging a potential shakeup. Will that shakeup include moving Kyle Schwarber out of the leadoff spot? One potential option is Trea Turner, who has plenty of experience hitting leadoff, but the team likes him in his current No. 2 spot.

The team decided against adding more protection for Bryce Harper, meaning either Alec Bohm or Nick Castellanos will occupy the No. 4 spot in the order.

Kepler, a left-hander swinger, will likely play left, with centerfield looking like a platoon with Johan Rojas and Bandon Marsh and Castellanos is back to play right.

The infield remains the same with J.T. Realmuto behind the plate.

The biggest changes are at the end of the bullpen and the No. 5 spot in the rotation.

Jeff Hoffman is now in Toronto, slated to join their starting rotation, Carlos Estévez remains unsigned and former Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano could be in line to close games, at least to start the season.

One name to keep an eye on in late-inning situations is Orion Kerkering, who is now entering his second full season in the Philadelphia bullpen.

The team also has Matt Strahm and Jose Alvarado as late-inning options.

The No. 5 spot in the rotation has been bolstered by the addition of Jesus Luzardo. He replaces a revolving door of arms that was 'led' by Taijuan Walker and some unmerry men.

So while the starting pitching has improved, the bullpen seems to be as big of a question as the streaky lineup that has disappeared in the past three playoff runs.

So here are the 5 biggest questions at Spring Training for the Phillies

1. Will the Phillies shakeup their batting lineup.

A potential change:

1. Trea Turner (R)
2. Bryce Harper (L)
3. Alex Bohm (R)
4. Kyle Schwarber (L)
5. Nick Castellanos (R)
6. Max Kepler (L)
7. J.T. Realmuto (R)
8. Bryson Stott (L)
9. Brandon Marsh (L) / Johan Rojas (R)

This lineup gives the team a balanced right/left lineup pretty much throughout with Kepler and Stott options to be flipped.

One other potential option is moving Stott to the No. 2 spot with Harper No. 3, Bohm or Castellanos No. 4, and Schwarber in the five spot (Bohm or Castellanos would hit No. 6).

2. Who will Close Games?

The logical choice seems to be Romano, who was a multiple-time All-Star with Toronto but is coming off an injury-filled 2024. Kerkering is another intriguing option and probably has the best stuff in the Philadelphia bullpen.

The team can always turn to Straham and Alvarado in certain situations, but if you're looking for a shut-down closer every day, Romano and Kerkering might be your best bets.

3. Will the kids have a role?

The Phillies have three top prospects, two seem to be a year away, but could they open eyes enough this spring to be a factory during the second half of the season?

Aiden Miller and Justin Crawford are the top two offensive prospects and will be with the team this spring in Clearwater as non-roster invitees. If they show they can handle big league pitching in the Grapefruit League, and can have solid minor league first-halves, they might be options after the trade deadline to help the 2025 team.

While this is a long shot, there are plenty of prospects that are about the same age as Miller and Crawford who are already helping their big league clubs, maybe one of these guys will surprise and show Dombrowski they are ready now.

Dombrowski has suggested Andrew Painter will not throw in Grapefruit League games but could be an option in July, meaning one of the team's starting arms could be available via trade at the deadline to make room for Painter at some point.

4. Who backs up JT?

While J.T Realmuto is still a solid catcher and thrower, his bat is starting to dip.

Realmuto's power numbers are down and it might be time to sit him down more often during the long 162-game season.

The battle behind him doesn't offer much excitement but might offer more playing time for the winner than in past years.

Incumbent Garrett Stubbs returns with Rafael Marchán an option along with Paul McIntosh, who was acquired in the Luzardo trade.

5. Will age start to rear its ugly head?

The Phillies have a bunch of their core guys who are hitting the wrong side of 30.

Harper, Schwarber, Castellanos, Realmuto, Turner, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and a few others are all getting older, and time catches up to everyone. A dip in any one of those guys' production could be detrimental to making a World Series run in 2025.

The Phillies report to Clearwater on Feb. 11 with pitchers and catchers first day on Feb 12.