The Philadelphia Phillies have been busy during the 2024-25 offseason. Several players from last season have departed, including Jeff Hoffman, Carlos Estévez, Austin Hays, Yunior Marte, Luis Ortiz, Tyler Gilbert, Kolby Allard, and Spencer Turnbull. To fill these gaps, the Phillies have brought in Jesús Luzardo, Max Kepler, Jordan Romano, Joe Ross, and Devin Sweet.
As the roster for 2025 continues to take shape, some spots remain open, as not all players are returning for the new season. Here are five Phillies players:
5. Garrett Stubbs
Despite being the Phillies’ backup catcher for the past three seasons, Garrett Stubbs may not have a firm hold on his job for 2025. His defense has been solid, but his offensive performance has often been lackluster, with a .222 batting average and .628 OPS in 141 games with Philadelphia. With starting catcher J.T. Realmuto likely seeing a reduced workload, the Phillies will need more offensive production from their backup catcher. Rafael Marchán, a promising young catcher, had a strong showing in a limited role last season, which could put pressure on Stubbs. Stubbs has one minor league option left, while Marchán is out of options, meaning Stubbs will need a strong spring training performance to retain his spot.
4. Kody Clemens
Kody Clemens, acquired in the trade for Gregory Soto in 2022, has shown potential in the minors but has struggled in the majors. In two seasons with the Phillies, Clemens has posted a .225 average and .672 OPS in 90 big league games. However, his strong minor league numbers, including a .255+ average and OPS over .800 at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, suggest he could be a valuable asset. To secure a spot on the 2025 roster, Clemens will need to prove that his minor league success can translate to the majors.
3. Cal Stevenson Acquired off waivers from the San Francisco Giants in 2023, Cal Stevenson got a chance to play for the Phillies in 2024 due to injury issues. He appeared in 18 games, hitting .250 with a .708 OPS. Stevenson showcased his versatility by playing all three outfield positions and maintaining a perfect fielding percentage. With the addition of Max Kepler, the Phillies now have one less spot available for an outfielder. Stevenson will need to impress in spring training to earn a bench role for the upcoming season.
2. Weston Wilson
Weston Wilson had a strong start to his 2024 stint with the Phillies, even hitting for the cycle in August. He posted a .362 average and 1.040 OPS in his first 19 games. However, his performance dropped off toward the end of the season, and he struggled in the postseason. With the ability to play nearly any position, Wilson could still earn a bench role, but he will need to show more consistency in his play to secure a spot on the 2025 roster.
1. Taijuan Walker
Despite being an experienced MLB veteran with over 12 years in the league, Taijuan Walker faces uncertainty heading into 2025 after a rough 2024 season. He posted career-worst numbers, including a 7.10 ERA and 1.72 WHIP, and struggled with his control and command. The Phillies’ offseason addition of Jesús Luzardo likely eliminates Walker from the starting rotation, leaving him with a chance to compete for a relief role. However, with a career 4.56 ERA and 1.61 WHIP as a reliever, Walker will need a strong spring training to prove he still has value to the team.