Philadelphia Phillies DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Philadelphia Phillies infielder Edmundo Sosa will be tried out in left field during spring training, and "there's a chance" he could also play center field, according to manager Rob Thomson. If Sosa looks good in center, it would give the Phillies another right-handed platoon option against left-handers other than Johan Rojas. "He'd become kind of a super-utility guy which would be a nice thing to have," Thomson said. "Until he gets out shagging and real reads off the bat, you really can't tell." Sosa played only two innings in center in 2023 and three innings in left field in 2022, so he has very little experience in the outfield. However, it will give Philly more options to get the 28-year-old's bat into the lineup if he's hot. He's still not much of a fantasy asset in mixed leagues with limited playing time, but Sosa getting reps in center field is bad news for Rojas.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber has hit leadoff in almost 85 percent of his plate appearances since joining the team, but he could be moved down to third or fourth in the batting order in 2025. If that happens, shortstop Trea Turner would lead off, with first baseman Bryce Harper likely hitting second. Third baseman Alec Bohm and Schwarber could be interchangeable in the No. 3 and No. 4 spots. In addition to a possible lineup change, Schwarber has been working three times a week at first base with infield coach Bobby Dickerson. The Phillies want to give themselves another option when Harper needs a day off or if he gets injured. Schwarber has not played first since starting nine games there with Boston in 2021. A move to the leadoff spot for the 31-year-old lefty slugger would drop his run production but boost his RBI opportunities for fantasy managers.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (illness) is missing the team's first full-squad spring training workout on Monday because he's under the weather. In addition, shortstop Trea Turner (personal) remains away from the team after his wife recently had a baby. Turner is expected back on the field on Wednesday. The 32-year-old Harper should be back on the field sooner than later this week. The two-time MVP and eight-time All-Star has taken to the move to first base well and he managed his fifth 30-homer season in 2024 while also slashing .285/.373/.525 with an .898 OPS, 87 RBI, seven stolen bases and 85 runs scored in 631 plate appearances and 145 games played, his most since 2019 in his first year in Philly. Fantasy managers should treat Harper as a top-five fantasy first baseman heading into his seventh year with the Phils.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson wants to preserve catcher J.T. Realmuto's body this season, which will almost certainly mean that he will catch fewer games in 2025. "I don't have a specific number I want to catch. There's no perfect answer, no way to know how my body is going to feel. Where I stand right now, there's no reason I shouldn't be able to catch (120 games). My body feels as good right now as it ever has," Realmuto said. The 33-year-old has caught 130 games in three of his five full years with the Phillies, but that number dropped to 99 in 2024 after he had surgery on his meniscus in June. He stole only two bases last year stealing 37 the previous three years. On days he doesn't catch in 2025, the Phillies would like him to DH and play first base and possibly left field. With Realmuto likely to run less again in 2025, his fantasy stock as an aging catcher has taken a hit, and RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 12 fantasy backstop.

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington mentions Jared Triolo, DJ Stewart and Darick Hall as options that the Pirates will consider at first base now that Spencer Horwitz is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a wrist injury that required surgery. Those three players should see the most reps at first base in spring training with Horwitz sidelined, but Cherington also mentioned the possibility that there could be others that get work at first that aren't as familiar with the position. Cherington also said the team's focus right now is to keep left fielder Bryan Reynolds in the outfield. Triolo won a Gold Glove as a utility player in 2024 and is the most likely option to benefit the most from Horwitz's injury early in the season. However, he hit just .216/.296/.315 with nine homers and eight steals in 125 games in 2024 and probably won't move the needle much fantasy-wise, especially if he's in a platoon at first.