With the holidays behind us and pitchers and catchers set to report to Clearwater in roughly six weeks, now is a great time to preview some of the key position battles at Phillies camp.
While the top of the roster is relatively set, the back end remains equally rigid, which limits the likelihood of intriguing non-roster invitees making an impact. A few notable Phillies players on the 40-man roster are entering 2025 without minor league options for the first time in their careers. This means they must either make the team out of camp, start the season on the major league injured list, or be designated for assignment and clear waivers to be outrighted to the minors. Unlike in past seasons, the team can no longer freely shuttle these players between Triple-A and the big leagues.
Though teams often stress the importance of strong performances in camp, front offices are generally inclined to favor players without minor league options to maximize roster depth. If two players are competing for the final roster spot, the one without options usually has the edge, allowing the organization to retain both players—one in the majors and the other in the minors.
Here are four Phillies players without minor league options to watch closely this spring:
Tyler Phillips
The Phillies could have preserved Tyler Phillips’ last minor league option by keeping him on the roster through September, but his struggles against the Blue Jays led to his demotion to Lehigh Valley. This decision essentially prioritized Taijuan Walker over Phillips, leaving the team unable to use Phillips as a depth option next year.
Phillips will likely aim for the final bullpen spot at camp but could also compete for the No. 5 rotation spot if a starter isn’t ready by Opening Day. His status depends heavily on Walker’s future—if Walker is traded or released, Phillips’ chances of making the team improve significantly. Otherwise, he may find himself squeezed out. Injuries during spring could also prompt other teams to trade for Phillips, as his ability to throw over 100 innings in a season remains valuable.
Kody Clemens
Kody Clemens is a strong candidate to begin the 2025 season on the Phillies’ bench unless he’s traded or injured. The concern is the Phillies’ lefty-heavy lineup following the addition of Max Kepler. A right-handed bat might better balance the bench.
Clemens’ 2024 splits are worth noting: while he struggled as a pinch-hitter, he performed well as a starter, posting a .747 OPS in 91 plate appearances compared to a .575 OPS as a substitute. His versatility across infield positions makes him a valuable depth piece.
Rafael Marchan
After five years in the system, Rafael Marchan has run out of minor league options and will compete with Garrett Stubbs for the backup catcher role. Stubbs still has a minor league option, which could play a significant role in the decision.
Marchan’s health will also be critical. He’s begun the past three seasons on the injured list and hasn’t played a professional game in April since 2019. When healthy, however, Marchan is the better fit for backing up J.T. Realmuto, especially if the team wants to rest its star catcher more often. In 2024, Marchan posted an .894 OPS in 56 big-league plate appearances while filling in for the injured Realmuto.
Buddy Kennedy
Millville native Buddy Kennedy could find himself on the outside looking in if the roster stays healthy during camp. However, injuries often shake things up, making it plausible for Kennedy to secure an Opening Day spot.
Claimed off waivers from Detroit in June, Kennedy offers the Phillies a right-handed utility infield bat behind Edmundo Sosa. The team may also experiment with him in left field during Grapefruit League games to see if he can provide depth there. While the ideal right-handed platoon partner for Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler would be Weston Wilson, Wilson’s minor league option makes him a candidate to start the season at Triple-A.
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