The Philadelphia Phillies claimed the National League East title in 2024 with a 95-67 record. As they look to defend their division crown this season, keeping their star players healthy and on the field will be essential.
One notable development in spring training is one key slugger taking reps at first base, a move that could create several new lineup possibilities for the Phillies.
“It’s only good, right?” top star said, via Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. “It’s good for me—I can do something else throughout camp. And if [Bryce] Harper needs a day off his feet, we can give him that while still keeping left-handed bats in the lineup against a righty. I think it’s only good to have that flexibility.”
Entering his age-32 season and fourth year with the Phillies, he has limited experience at first base, having logged just 75 defensive innings at the position in his Major League career. However, his ability to play there during the regular season could provide the team with more flexibility, allowing Bryce Harper to take on the designated hitter role and get some rest while remaining in the lineup.
As Schwarber pointed out, this arrangement would also help keep both of their powerful left-handed bats in the lineup against right-handed pitching, giving the Phillies an added advantage offensively.
Harper was the Phillies’ offensive leader last season, his first full year at first base, posting a 149 OPS+. Keeping him fresh and healthy will be crucial to the team’s success in 2025.
Schwarber remains a key piece of the Phillies’ lineup as well. The left-handed slugger out of Indiana University has crushed 131 home runs over his three seasons in Philadelphia. While his strikeout numbers are high—averaging 204 per season as a Phillie—he has still earned National League MVP votes eaThe Phillies will kick off their 2025 regular season on Thursday, March 27, with a matchup against the Washington Nationals in the nation’s capital.ch year, highlighting his impact at the plate.