The Philadelphia Phillies open up their season on Thursday at 4:05pm in Texas against the Rangers, as the most anticipated season in over a decade begins in earnest. It’s a year with great expectations, amazing new talent, a difficult division, and incredible moments just waiting to happen. Ahead of the team taking the field, let’s take a look at the players who are projected to – the official opening day roster has not yet been released – be the ones making those moments a reality in Philly this year.

• Catchers:

• JT Realmuto

  Realmuto will once again be the starting catcher. BCIB.

• Garrett Stubbs

  Stubbs played a solid backup to Realmuto last season, and is expected to again this year.

• Infielders:

• Darick Hall

  Hall will most likely be the main starting 1^st baseman with Rhys Hoskins’ ACL injury.

• Bryson Stott

  Stott shifts to 2^nd for the 2023 season with a new addition at shortstop, he’ll start in the middle for the Phils.

• Trea Turner

  The Phillies’ biggest offseason addition, and arguably the best shortstop in baseball, Turner starts his tenure as a mainstay in the middle of the Phils’ infield.

• Alec Bohm

  Bohm had an awesome spring, and the Phillies will be looking for their young starting 3^rd baseman to make a big jump this season.

• Edmundo Sosa

  Sosa is a utility player extraordinaire, who could probably start on some MLB teams. For the Phillies, he’ll be the first infielder off the bench and may even see some outfield time.

   

• Josh Harrison

  The wily vet of the infield, Harrison is a defensive specialist who will see a share of innings as either a spot starter or a defensive replacement late in games.

• Outfielders:

• Kyle Schwarber

  Schwarber will be starting for the Phils again, whether it’s LF or DH. The NL home run champ from last year is looking for another big year.

• Brandon Marsh

  With a strong offseason behind him, Marsh looks for an improved year as the Phillies’ everyday starter in center.

• Nick Castellanos

  With Bryce Harper injured, Nick Castellanos will start in RF for the Phils, and he is looking for a bounce back year from a forgetful 2022.

• Jake Cave

  Cave had an outstanding spring training, and earned a spot as an outfield depth piece on this roster. He may also DH with Darick Hall starting at 1B.

• Dalton Guthrie

  Guthrie may not have made this roster without the Rhys Hoskins injury, but the team still has confidence in the young outfielder to be a serviceable defensive backup.

• Starting Pitchers:

• Aaron Nola

  Your opening day starter for the 6^th straight year.

• Zack Wheeler

  Wheeler is back for hopefully another dominant season.

• Taijuan Walker

  Walker comes to Philly from the NY Mets via free agency, and is one of the more underrated offseason acquisitions in all of baseball.

• Bailey Falter

  With Ranger Suarez’s injury setback, Falter is set to slot into the 4^th spot in the rotation to start the season.

• Matt Strahm

  Strahm, who was signed this offseason as a bullpen piece, will be forced into the 5^th starter role due to the Suarez injury. The last time he was a bona fide starter was with the San Diego Padres back in 2019.

• The Bullpen:

• Seranthony Dominguez

  Armed with a contract extension, Dominguez has a chance to be the team’s set closer this season.

• Gregory Soto

  Soto is probably the other guy in contention for the closer role this season after the Phillies traded for him from the Detroit Tigers.

• Jose Alvarado

  Also extended this offseason, Alvarado looks to build on an outstanding 2022 campaign.

• Craig Kimbrel

  The long time closer may not close for the Phillies, but he’s still a more than serviceable bullpen arm.

• Connor Brogdon

  Brogdon is back, and this year he has a mustache. Can’t have a bad year with a mustache.

• Andrew Bellatti

  Bellatti was the breakout bullpen arm of 2022, and has now solidified his roster spot for 2023.

• Yunior Marte

  Marte was acquired this offseason from the San Francisco Giants, and he will be pushed into a bullpen role, at least until the starting rotation turns to strength.

• Andrew Vasquez

  Vasquez is unproven, but had a solid spring and showed off some good stuff. He’s the least proven of this year’s staff.

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