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Jul 3, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Rafael Marchan (13) crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Phillies Catching Depth Will Need Work

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Ben Rosen | Last updated Mar 24, 2026 8:18 PM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies catching depth should be improved after the team trades or designates for assignment Garrett Stubbs. With J.T. Realmuto and Rafael Marchán on the Opening Day roster the team needs to make a move with Stubbs. This is because Stubbs has no minor league options remaining. If Stubbs is not traded or clears waivers he will likely accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Stubbs has a split contract that would see him make a fair amount of money for a minor league player. Realmuto and Marchán will be the lone catchers on the Phillies 40-man roster once the team makes the transaction involving Stubbs. Thus matches with Opening Day roster projections for the club.

At one point it did appear the Phillies were considering a path for Stubbs to make the Opening Day roster. Stubbs did some defensive work at other infield and outfield positions to increase his versatility. During spring training Stubbs did make some appearances in left field and at third base. However, Stubbs was likely never in serious consideration to be the 13th position player on the Phillies 26-man roster. Once Johan Rojas was official suspended Dylan Moore became the favorite for the role. Moore will be on the Phillies Opening Day roster. Additionally, Stubbs was always going to have a hard time beating out Marchán for the backup catcher role.

Phillies Catching Depth

Current Internal Options

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are slated to have three catchers on their Opening Day roster. René Pinto has prior major league experience while Paul McIntosh and Caleb Ricketts do not. Pinto has no minor league options which is noteworthy in the event he needs to be added to the Phillies 40-man roster. Mark Kolozsvary is the sole other catcher in the Phillies organization with major league experience. Kolozsvary did not participate in spring training games due to injury. Furthermore, Kolozsvary does have two minor league option years remaining. Kehden Hettiger had an impressive spring with a .222/.364/.667 line with one home run and two RBI in eight games. Hettiger also recorded a 152 wRC+ and a .425 wOBA and could be another option if needed.

What Is The Best Path Forward With Stubbs

In a perfect world the Phillies can find a trade partner for Stubbs. If Stubbs does clear waivers he likely ends up back in Triple-A. Stubbs spent most of the 2025 season with the IronPigs. After re-signing Realmuto this past offseason it was inevitable that the Phillies were going to have to trade or designate for assignment Stubbs or Marchán. Like Stubbs, Marchán is also out of minor league options. Stubbs returning to the Phillies organization would lead to some shuffling of the minor league rosters at the catching position. The versatility the Phillies were trying to showcase with Stubbs during spring training may have been to increase his trade value to get a team to take a flyer on him. Adding an optionable catcher to the 40-man roster could be helpful.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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