Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training Stories to Keep an Eye on

High on the list of things that sneak up when you’re too busy partying on Broad Street after a Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl championship: Philadelphia Phillies spring training baseball

On Monday morning, the 2025 Philadelphia Phillies embark on their own journey that they hope will culminate on Broad Street in late-October/early-November. The first full squad workout of 2025 spring training in Clearwater is here and the first Grapefruit League game is this weekend in Lakeland against the Tigers. The pressure will certainly be ratcheted up for the Phillies, not because of the success of the local football team but because of their own disappointments over the past three postseasons. 

Here’s a look at a few stories to keep an eye on during 2025 spring training and the Grapefruit League season. 

All Eyes on Bohm

Third baseman Alec Bohm came out of the gates on fire in 2024 and earned his first-ever National League All-Star selection. And then the wheels fell off. Bohm struggled down the stretch and was benched during the 2024 NLDS against the New York Mets. The Phillies actively shopped the 28-year-old during the offseason but were unable to make a deal. With top prospect Aidan Miller waiting in the wings, the leash could be very short for Bohm in 2025.

Who’s in Left?

Could starting catcher J.T. Realmuto end up in left field? It’s a possibility. Realmuto addressed the idea with the media last weekend at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater. He told the assembled media that he’s willing to do whatever is needed…maybe even playing some left field. The soon-to-be 34-year-old has never played a Major League game in the outfield but there might be first for everything. 

Extensions Coming?

Speaking of Realmuto, he is entering the final year of a 5-year/$115.5 million contract with the team and would like to work out an extension with the team. However, he was limited to just 99-games last season due to knee issues, so it’s clear his long-term future likely isn’t behind the plate. 

Another player who has been vocal about their desire to discuss an extension is slugger Kyle Schwarber. The Phils’ big bopper told our Kyle Odegard that Philadelphia “feels like home” and he would love to stay in the City of Brotherly Love. Unlike Realmuto, the soon-to-be 32-year-old is locked in as the club’s designated hitter and won’t feel the wear and tear of consistently playing the field.

Of course there’s the elephant in the room, Bryce Harper’s desire to sign some form of extension with the ballclub. Harper, who signed a 13-year/$330 million contract prior to the 2019 MLB season has certainly outperformed his original deal. The 32-year-old superstar has been on the record for over a year about his desire to come to some kind of contract amendment with the team.

Backup Battles

For the first time in a long time, the Phillies will have some key backup battles worth keeping an eye on this spring including the outfield and at catcher. 

Starting behind the plate, the Phillies re-signed backup catcher and party host Garrett Stubbs this offseason. But Stubbs’ spot as the backup isn’t so clear cut. He will be in a dog fight with Rafael Marchan for the backup role. Marchan performed extremely well in 2024 when filling in for the injured J.T. Realmuto. 

When the Phillies signed outfielder Max Kepler it likely signaled the end of the Johan Rojas as starter era. The key word is likely. With Kepler and Nick Castellanos penciled into the lineup, two of the three outfield spots are locked up. The belief is Brandon Marsh has the inside track on the third spot, but the 27-year-old will need to improve his hitting against lefties to galvanize the Phillies outfield rotation. 

Keep the (Andrew) Painter on Speed Dial

Make no mistake about it, top pitching prospect Andrew Painter will be pitching for the Phillies in 2025. The question remains: when? Phils’ president of baseball ops Dave Dombrowski has been steadfast on Painter making his way to the Big League’s around July. The club is still taking things slow as the No. 8 prospect in MLB Pipeline’s rankings recovers from 2023 Tommy John surgery. But Painter’s dominance in the 2024 Arizona Fall League at least raised the question of whether or not he could make it to Philadelphia sooner rather than later. All eyes will be on the 21-year-old righty every time he toes the rubber for a bullpen session or extended spring training game.