As we approach Opening Day, we’ve been previewing our fellow NL East rivals both here and on the podcast. You can read our previews on the Marlins and the Mets by clicking on their names. We continue today with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Last Year’s Record: 82-80 (2nd in NL East)

We are entering year four of the Bryce Harper era in Philadelphia and the Phillies were finally able to finish over .500 for the first time since 2011 as they went 82-80.  With a good lineup over the last few years, which included a 2021 MVP for Bryce Harper, the Phillies have been plagued by their defense and their pitching, particularly from their atrocious bullpen.

The Phillies have made flurry of moves ahead of the 2022 season in hopes of building off that 82-80 record. They will be a competitive ballclub, but the question is whether they’ll have enough depth to finally get over the hump and make the playoffs.

Departures

Like last offseason, most of the Phillies departures was about shedding dead weight in the bullpen. They do lose Brad Miller and fan-favorite Andrew McCutchen, but other than that, most of these departures were welcomed by Philly fans.

OF Andrew McCutchen (FA)

UT Brad Miller (FA)

RP Archie Bradley (FA)

RP Ian Kennedy (FA)

OF Roman Quinn (FA)

SP Matt Moore (FA)

RP Hector Neris (FA)

IF Ronald Torreyes (FA)

Additions

The Phillies made bolstering their outfield and bullpen a priority this offseason and they accomplished that goal on paper with the acquisitions show below. As Nats fans know, however, Brad Hand is not likely to be a key bullpen piece for very long and Jeurys Familia’s best days are behind him as well. They signed both Schwarber and Castellanos which will improve their lineup but also hurt their defense, as only one can DH at a time.

LF/DH Kyle Schwarber (FA)

LF/DH Nick Castellanos (FA)

RP Corey Knebel (FA)

RP Brad Hand (FA)

RP Jeurys Familia (FA)

Projected Lineup

This lineup could be elite if they get big production out of rookie Matt Vierling or youngster Alec Bohm in the bottom of their order. Beyond Vierling, they have options in the outfield off the bench that somehow still includes Odubel Herrera and highly-touted former top pick Mickey Moniak. The Phillies also brought in Johan Camargo, formerly of Atlanta, to fill the utility role. Second-ranked SS prospect Bryson Stott could make the team and take Alec Bohm’s spot at 3B as well.  In the projected lineup below, you could also see Schwarber as the DH and Castellanos in LF.

1. LF Kyle Schwarber (L)
2.  C JT Realmuto (R)
3. RF Bryce Harper (L)
4. DH Nick Castellanos (R)
5. 1B Rhys Hoskins (R)
6. 2B Jean Segura (R)
7. Didi Gregorius (L)
8. CF Matt Vierling (R)
9. 3B Alec Bohm (R)

Projected Rotation

We finally got that massive breakout season from Zack Wheeler last season, and he headlines the pitching staff as Aaron Nola looks to rebound from a disappointing 2021 where he posted a 4.63 ERA in 32 starts. The Phillies know they’re going to get decent returns on workhorses Zach Eflin and Kyle Gibson, but an intriguing storyline is going to be how Ranger Suarez continues to pitch out of the rotation. Suarez emerged as a top starter for the Phillies in the second half of last season, going 3-2 with a 1.51 ERA in 12 starts. If he can put up numbers anywhere close to that over the course of a full season, he could be in the Cy Young conversation. The Phillies will be happy just to have 32 starts and an ERA under 3.50.

1. Zack Wheeler (R)
2. Aaron Nola (R)
3. Zach Eflin (R)
4. Ranger Suarez (L)
5. Kyle Gibson (R)

Bullpen

For the second consecutive offseason, the Phillies performed a major overhaul of their bullpen. Corey Knebel comes in after a bounce back season for the Dodgers and is expected to be the closer. Former big-name closers Brad Hand and Jeurys Familia were also brought in while Archie Bradley, Hector Neris, Brandon Kintzler, and Ian Kennedy were shown the door. This bullpen is critical to the success of the Phillies season and another bad year from them will likely cost the Phillies a playoff spot, even in an expanded field.

Corey Knebel (R)

Jose Alvarado (L)

Jeurys Familia (R)

Brad Hand (L)

Seranthony Dominguez (R)

Connor Brogdon (R)

Impact Prospects

According to Baseball America, the Phillies have the 23rd best farm system in the majors. Their top prospect heading into 2021 was Spencer Howard, who disappointed in his stint with the club and was shipped off to Texas in the trade that got Philly Ian Kennedy and Kyle Gibson. Mick Abel is their top prospect and ranked #51 on BA’s Top 100, but it’s Bryson Stott and Matt Vierling who coud make the Opening Day roster and make the biggest impact this season as rookies.

RHP Mick Abel (51)

SS Bryson Stott (67)

OF Johan Rojas

RHP Andrew Painter

OF Matt Vierling

The Half Street High Heat writers give their answers on certain Phillies topics below, including most intriguing storyline and which Phillies player they’d most like to add to the Nationals.

Best Phillies Pitcher

Danny: Zack Wheeler

Matt: Zack Wheeler

Monty: Zack Wheeler

Tyler: Zack Wheeler

Best Phillies Player

Danny: Bryce Harper

Matt: Bryce Harper

Monty: Bryce Harper

Tyler: Bryce Harper

Favorite Phillies Pitcher/Player

Danny: Bryce Harper

Matt: Bryce Harper

Monty: Nick Castellanos

Tyler: Bryce Harper

Most Hated Phillies Player

Danny: Odubel Herrera

Matt: Rhys Hoskins

Monty: Odubel Herrera for obvious reasons. Rhys Hoskins for no reason.

Tyler: Odubel Herrera

One Phillies Player to Add to the Nats

Danny: Bryce Harper

Matt: Zack Wheeler

Monty: Castellanos just for the memes.

Tyler: Bryce Harper

Most Intriguing Phillies Storyline

Danny: “How long will it take the Phillies pitching staff to get frustrated by their horrible defense?”

Matt: “”We know the Phillies lineup will be great, but can their bullpen become good enough to make them a true playoff contender?”

Monty: “Do the Phillies finally have the roster depth to push for their first postseason appearance since 2011?”

Tyler: “Will their lineup be able to outscore the number of runs their bullpen gives up?”