Aug 6, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) reacts after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
We’re finishing our NL East preview here at Metsmerized with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Projected Starting Lineup (per Roster Resource)
- Kyle Schwarber – LF
- J.T. Realmuto – C
- Bryce Harper – RF
- Nick Castellanos – DH
- Rhys Hoskins – 1B
- Didi Gregorius – SS
- Jean Segura – 2B
- Bryson Stott – 3B
- Mickey Moniak – CF
Lineup Assessment
Their top four batters will strike fear into opposing pitcher’s eyes all season long. Schwarber, Harper, and Castellanos are all projected to hit over 30 home runs this season as well as Hoskins. Realmuto is a well-rounded bat and toward the top of his position. The lineup could use a bounce-back from Gregorious to his long-ago Yankees days and Stott and Moniak are a couple of question marks. They still have Alec Bohm on the bench who at 25 can still turn into something.
Players Lost
The Phillies gained more than they lost this offseason. Hector Neris shipped off to Houston, Brad Miller went to Texas as well. Andrew McCutchen landed in Milwaukee, Ian Kennedy in Arizona, and Archie Bradley in Anaheim.
What really impacts them are the bats of Castellanos and Schwarber while grabbing two former Mets for their bullpen in Brad Hand and Jeurys Familia. Philadelphia also nabbed reliever Corey Knebel.
Pitching
The Phillies rotation isn’t bad at all. Nola is a former top Cy Young contender, Wheeler finished second in Cy Young voting last year. Gibson and Eflin are solid when called upon. The wild card is Suarez who could be another top arm.
In the bullpen, they don’t have a set closer yet but it will likely be either Knebel or Jose Alvarado. If Hand escapes his troubles from last season then he’s another medium to high-leverage back-of-the-bullpen guy.
Top Prospects
The Phillies top prospect is Bryson Stott, a shortstop expected to see major time this season. Other prospects you could see in the majors this season are catcher Logan O’Hoppe, pitcher Hans Crouse, and outfielder Matt Vierling. The Phillies have a duo of pitching prospects to watch for in a few years with Mick Abel and Andrew Painter.
