The Philadelphia Phillies are back in blood in Clearwater, Florida for Spring Training. Coming off a brutal World Series defeat in 6 games to the Houston Astros, the Phil’s no doubt want their get back this year, and not as the underdogs this time around.

The New: 

Trea Turner (SS)

The Phillies added the fastest player in all of the MLB and All-Star Trea Turner at shortstop. Philly wanted to stay aggressive in free agency like they did in years past with signing like Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos in 2022 and Bryce Harper back in 2019. Turner brings a consistent bat and a great deal of speed at the plate to Philadelphia, along with a great glove in the infield. It is a match made in heaven in Philly, they are high on Turner and so are the fans. I expect him to have a great year, but if not, there’s always a certain #4 there behind him to take the job.

Taijuan Walker (P)

Walker has seen a lot of Philly with being with the rival Mets for a better part of his career, now walking into Citizens Bank Park wearing those iconic Philly pinstripes. Walker is a former first round pick back in 2010 and is looking to really get it going here in Philadelphia this up and coming season. Another player that Philly is high on, another player I expect to have a great year as well. Roll Phills.

The Old:

Scott Kingery (SS)

For the most part, the team and its starters look the same as it did last October and November. But there are some old/new faces in Spring Training down in Florida. Scott Kingery is back in blood and is ready to get the wheels on the bus for the Phillies as he got his bat moving in their live BP. Kingery is without a doubt a star in the making and those in the organization are very high on him. That being said, he has had his fair share of struggles since 2020. Between the majors and triple-a, Kingery has been consistently inconsistent. This is, in all likelihood, the last dance for Scotty Jetpax in a Phillies uniform. The world is rooting for him but only time will tell. They wrote him off, but he ain’t write back though. It is the revenge tour for Scott Kingery, and we are all witnesses.

Outfield

The Phillies outfield is stacked to say the least, holding Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, and Nick Castellanos. Those three names alone can hit the ball, and hit it darn good. Schwarber has a tendency to tear the cover off a baseball like he did all throughout the post season and the World Series of 2022. Castellanos can do the same, being a great power hitter and has sturdy defense out in right. Brandon Marsh has excellent defensive abilities and was a huge reason that the Philles got where they were at the end of last year. This will be a big year for those three, and hopefully for the city of Philly too.

Infield 

Trea Turner is a Philadelphia Phillie. Moving Bryson Stott over to 2nd base is clearly the move for Rob Thomson. That middle infield will be dangerous, a great gold glove caliber Short-stop paired up with a young buck with tons of potential. Not to mention the great Scott Kingery and Edmundo Sosa in the mix for those positions as well. At the hot corner its Alec Bohm. The younger guy who has really come onto the scene as a great defensive third basemen. After he had to answer for his choice words last April in his 3 error game against the Mets, Bohm had kicked it into a different gear and is reaping the benefits now, this time going into the year as a starter. At the other corner at first is Rhys Hoskins. Notorious for his big bat at the plate, but is shaky when it comes to fielding, as long as he can keep the errors to a bare minimum and keeps up the great work at the plate, the Phillies are in great shape for 2023.

Pitching/Catching

That dangerous Phillies rotation just got a little bit better over the last few months. Adding former Met Taijuan Walker into the mix with an already ever so dangerous rotation. Including Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Ranger Suárez. Pitching in last years playoffs came up HUGE, as it was gem after gem with the occasional egg being laid which is bound to happen. For the most part the pitchers were clutch as possible and exceeded expectations. Not to mention they have the best catcher behind the plate in J.T. Realmuto. He will gun you down each and every time if you try to swipe one on him and he will take you yard 450 dead center. High praise for the all-star catcher as the Phillies, and the whole city of Philadelphia for that matter, hopes he can continue to tear it up again this year.

It is easy to sit here and say that the Phillies will make it all the way back to the World Series and win, but in all honesty, there is no knowing for sure. There is only one way to find out and that is to let the season play out. It is known that there are expectations this year, high ones of that. Only time will tell what will happen with this team and hopefully by this time next year I’m wearing my Phillies 2023 World Series champions hat and t-shirt. I’ll see you all at the parade on Broad Street. (Hopefully) Roll Phills.

What a beautiful day in paradise pic.twitter.com/fQmhQmoztw

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) February 25, 2023