2025 MLB Season Recap: Philadelphia Phillies

The Pitching

The Good

Yet again, the Phillies’ starting rotation was among the league’s best.

The Phillies had three pitchers finish in the top ten of the NL Cy Young vote: runner-up Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, and Zack Wheeler.

Sanchez, who burst onto the scene a few years ago thanks to a great sinker and sinking changeup, struck out 212 over 202 innings in a career season for the left-hander.

Luzardo, meanwhile, had issues at times with keeping his delivery clean out of the stretch. While opposing hitters slashed .240/.299/356 (.656 OPS) overall this season off Luzardo, that OPS jumped to .801 with at least one man on base. Still, he managed to strike out a career-best 216 batters in his first season with the Phillies.

As for Wheeler, it was another fantastic season for the ace. Wheeler struck out 195 over 149.2 IP and would have easily hit the 200-strikeout plateau again in 2025 had he not gone down to season-ending surgery. Wheeler was diagnosed in August with a blood clot and then needed thoracic outlet syndrome surgery.

The Phillies’ bullpen had its issues in 2025. However, there were some great stories, including Tanner Banks. The left-hander posted a stellar 144 OPS+ for the Phillies, as he became a relied-upon reliever amidst problems with the relief core (I’ll get more into that later).

Philadelphia’s bullpen was solidified in July when Jhoan Duran came over from Minnesota. Duran walked just one over 20.1 IP, struck out 27, and notched 16 saves.

As for the offense, the Phillies received a well-balanced diet of home runs across the board. Ten Phillies reached double-digits in home runs, including utilityman Edmundo Sosa, Bryson Stott, and NL batting champion Trea Turner.

However, no hitter took up more of the conversation than Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber had a monstrous season, as he blasted an NL-high 56 home runs, walked 108 times, and drove in a Major League-best 132 runs. He finished second in the NL MVP vote.

Schwarber was exclusively the Phillies’ leadoff hitter in 2024. However, the Phillies needed Schwarber — their best power hitter — to drive in runs. He moved down in the order, bouncing between the #3 and #4 slots in the spring before ultimately sticking in the #2 hole behind Trea Turner.

Needless to say, the move worked pretty well for the Phillies.

The other big power hitter in the Phillies’ lineup, Bryce Harper, blasted 27 home runs this past year. Harper played in 132 of 162 games, as he missed time with a wrist injury.

The Bad

Before the Phillies acquired Jhoan Duran from the Twins, the team had initial issues trying to piece together the late innings.

Jordan Romano, signed last winter on a one-year deal to be the Phillies’ closer in 2025, had significant issues keeping the ball in the yard. Romano gave up 10 home runs, a career-high, over 42.2 IP as a Phillie. He came out of the gate having problems, as he posted a 12.19 ERA before being removed from the role.

Jose Alvarado got the rope once again as the Phillies’ closer. However, it didn’t last long. Alvarado was popped for a positive PED test, which cost him 80 games plus the postseason.

Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering did well to hold things together after Alvarado’s suspension. However, the addition of Duran gave the Phillies exactly what was needed: an elite, shutdown stopper for the late innings.

Another issue with the Phillies’ pitching staff this past season was the health & production of Aaron Nola. Traditionally one of baseball’s most consistent starters, Nola posted a career-worst 6.01 ERA over 94.1 IP. Nola spent a significant amount of time on the IL this past season thanks to an ankle issue and a rib fracture.

Nola’s usually had issues with keeping the ball in the yard; in 2024, he conceded a NL-high 30 home runs and 32 the year before. However, Nola’s four-seamer got play from hitters this season.

As for the offense, two outfielders did not have great years.

Max Kepler, signed to a one-year contract last winter after spending his entire pro career as a Twin, slashed .216/.300/.391 (.691 OPS) across 127 games. Nick Castellanos, meanwhile, slashed .250/.294/.400 (.694 OPS) with 17 home runs and 46 extra-base hits.

After two consecutive 20+ home run seasons, Castellanos duplicated the .694 OPS he had back in 2022, his first season with the Phillies.

Early Projected Lineup for 2026

• C: Rafael Marchan/Garrett Stubbs
• 1B: Bryce Harper
• 2B: Bryson Stott
• 3B: Alec Bohm
• SS: Trea Turner
• OF: Brandon Marsh (LF), Johan Rojas (CF), Weston Wilson (RF)
• DH: Otto Kemp
• SP: Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker, [FA Addition/Promotion]
• RP: Jhoan Duran, Jose Alvarado, Orion Kerkering, Tanner Banks, Matt Strahm, Max Lazar, Michael Mercado, Daniel Robert

This has already been an eventful offseason — and the Phillies haven’t made any moves yet. Last month, the New York Times reported that Nick Castellanos is expected to be released or traded after four seasons with the Phillies.

Additionally, Bryce Harper took issue with Dave Dombrowski’s post-season comments regarding whether Harper “becomes elite or he continues to be good, ” in Dombrowski’s own words.

Harper’s .844 OPS was the lowest of his MLB career since 2016.

Even though 2025 wasn’t a “last dance” type of year for the Phillies, it felt like it to a certain extent, simply because of all the pending free agents on the team. As of now, Kyle Schwarber, Ranger Suarez, J.T. Realmuto, and Harrison Bader are free agents. And, the Phillies don’t have clear replacements.

The Phillies’ catching depth chart is thin. Additionally, trying to replace Schwarber’s bat would be very tough if he were to walk.

One more layer of uncertainty heading into 2026 is the status of Zack Wheeler. Dombrowski stated in October that Wheeler was doing well and wouldn’t rule him out for Opening Day 2026.