Phillies Projected Opening Day Lineup…
Last season was an up and down year for the Phillies during the regular season. They fired their manager after starting the season 22-29. Joe Girardi’s message was falling on deaf ears and they needed a new guy to try and get the message across. That guy was Rob Thomson. Rob Thomson’s message got through to the guys right away as they went on a nice little run. They ended the season in 3rd place in the NL East with a record of 87-75 which was good enough for the 3rd Wildcard spot behind the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres.
This is where the season got really fun! The Phillies entered the playoffs against the St. Louis Cardinals and all games in this series would be played in St. Louis. Well, it didn’t last very long. The Phils took it to them and beat them twice to advance to the NLDS. Up next was their bitter rival, the Atlanta Braves who went 101-61 which was good for first place in the NL East. The Phillies took care of the Braves and then came the San Diego Padres who re-tooled their lineup very nicely over the past few seasons. That didn’t matter as the Phillies took them down with ease. The boys made it back to the World Series for the 1st time since 2009 but fell a little short to the Houston Astros.
We are hoping for the same magic this year. The Phillies signed all-star shortstop Trea Turner and so far he has been on fire during Spring Training. Did you see his heroics in the World Baseball Classic? Unreal!
Bryce Harper underwent Tommy John surgery in the off-season so his season won’t start on time. We are hoping to have him back by June. Last week, first baseman Rhys Hoskins went down with a torn ACL and will most likely miss the entire season. The team is still constructed to compete for a playoff spot and possibly make another run so let’s not worry too much. The Phils also bolstered their pitching staff and their bullpen so I think we will be all good.
The Phillies open the season on Thursday in Texas to play the Rangers at 4:05pm. Here is what the Phillies Projected Opening Day Lineup will look like.
Aaron Nola - Starting Pitcher
We need Nola to be Nola. If he and Wheeler do what they did last year, we should be good. Just need to give him some run support and he should have 15+ wins.
BRADENTON, FL – FEBRUARY 27: Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher Aaron Nola (27) delivers a pitch to the plate during the spring training game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates on February 27, 2023, at LECOM Park in Bradenton, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
1. Trea Turner - Shortstop
The biggest off-season transaction the Phillies made. The guy is on fire right now. I have a feeling he could be the NL MVP this year.
CLEARWATER, FL – March 23: Philadelphia Phillies Shortstop Trea Turner (7) at bat during the spring training game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers on March 23, 2023 at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida.
2. Kyle Schwarber - Left Field
The guy hit 46 homeruns last year to lead the National League. Let’s hope he can keep those power numbers up but also get the batting average up as well. He batted lead-off for most of the year so maybe being the in the 2-hole will help.
CLEARWATER, FL – March 23: Philadelphia Phillies Left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) is congratulated on scoring by Philadelphia Phillies Outfielder Nick Castellanos (8) during the spring training game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers on March 23, 2023 at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
3. J.T. Realmuto - Catcher
The best catcher in baseball. He was streaky last year but still made the All Star team and still hit over 20 homeruns. Let’s hope for the same production!
CLEARWATER, FL – March 23: Philadelphia Phillies Catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) at bat during the spring training game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers on March 23, 2023 at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
4. Darick Hall - First Base
This is a make or break year. Darick Hall has had his chances to be a mainstay on this roster. He can hit righthanded pitching fine, it’s just that he is awful against lefties. With Rhys Hoskins going down for what looks like the entire season, this is his chance to step up and produce.
BRADENTON, FL – FEBRUARY 27: Philadelphia Phillies First base Darick Hall (25) congratulates third baseman Alec Bohm (28) on his home run during the spring training game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates on February 27, 2023, at LECOM Park in Bradenton, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
5. Nick Castellanos - Designated Hitter
When the Phils signed him last off-season, the city was so excited because of his previous season with the Reds. He had a bad year and he can not have a bad year this year. If he can turn it around and play like he did before he joined the team, it will be huge!!!
CLEARWATER, FL – March 23: Philadelphia Phillies Outfielder Nick Castellanos (8) at bat during the spring training game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers on March 23, 2023 at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
6. Bryson Stott - Second Base
Bryson had a great rookie year and we hope he can grow as a second baseman and a hitter. Lots of promise with this guy as he solidified himself as an every day player.
CLEARWATER, FL – March 23: Philadelphia Phillies Infielder Bryson Stott (5) makes the catch for the force out of Detroit Tigers Outfielder Austin Meadows (17) at second base during the spring training game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers on March 23, 2023 at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
7. Alec Bohm - Third Base
At the start of the 2022, Alec Bohm was a bad fielder. You can tell he worked on his game because come playoff time, he was money! He put on some muscle this off-season and we could definitely use more power in the lineup with the absence of Hoskins and Harper. I expect a big year for Alec Bohm.
CLEARWATER, FL – March 23: Philadelphia Phillies Infield Alec Bohm (28) at bat during the spring training game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers on March 23, 2023 at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
8. Brandon Marsh - Centerfield
Brandon Marsh was a great mid-season pickup last year. We had a plethora of CF’s last year who did not play well… In comes Brandon Marsh. His fielding is pretty good and he’s decent at the plate. He earned a full time role with the team. Question… Why is his hair always wet?
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Brandon Marsh #16 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on during batting practice prior to Game Six of the 2022 World Series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on November 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
9. Jake Cave - Right Field
Jake Cave and Dalton Guthrie will both see a lot of time until Bryce Harper comes back. If we can see some production from either of these 2, that would be awesome!
FORT MYERS, FL- MARCH 01: Jake Cave #44 of the Philadelphia Phillies runs during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on March 1, 2023 at the Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
