The toughest division in baseball is the NL East, home of three World Series contenders — the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Atlanta Braves — and a pesky young team in the Washington Nationals.
Projecting the division winner during spring training is downright impossible. FanDuel currently has the following odds, exemplifying the tight race:
- Braves +135
- Phillies +180
- Mets +210
By the season’s end, each team’s roster will have gone through multiple iterations, but a hot start can go a long way, so selecting the right 26 to begin the season is crucial.
Philadelphia Phillies Opening Roster Projection
The Phillies are the healthiest of the three NL East contenders at the moment as both the Braves and Mets are dealing with significant injury issues. The Phillies are looking to win the division for the second consecutive season, a feat they have not accomplished since they won five straight from 2007-11.
Philly had a relatively quiet offseason, adding a few ancillary pieces in Jordan Romano, Joe Ross, and Max Kepler. Injury luck was a major factor last season as the Braves lost Ronald Acuńa Jr. and Spencer Strider while Philly remained healthy. If the Phillies can maintain fitness for another year, they could be real contenders in the NL.
Starting Pitchers
Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suárez, Jesús Luzardo, Cristopher Sanchez
Bullpen
José Alvarado, Orion Kerkering, Jordan Romano, Matt Strahm, Joe Ross, José Ruiz, Tanner Banks, Devin Sweet
Catchers
J.T. Realmuto, Garrett Stubbs
Infield
Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, Edmundo Sosa, Kody Clemens
Outfield
Brandon Marsh, Max Kepler, Nick Castellanos, Johan Rojas
Designated Hitter
Kyle Schwarber
There are some key notes to keep in mind with the Phillies’ initial roster as players like Taijuan Walker could be on the move. As teams lose starting pitchers around the league during the spring, Walker’s resurgence and Philly’s full rotation could see him shipped out, likely for a bullpen arm.
The backup catcher spot is a toss up. Stubbs has an option left while Rafael Marchán does not. Stubbs has been the better player at the plate so far in the spring, meaning Marchán could no longer be with Philly.
Rojas has yet to play this spring due to injury, which could motivate Philadelphia to elevate Óscar Mercado (assigned to Triple-A in February) as the fourth outfielder or bring along Buddy Kennedy, trusting Sosa to handle back up outfield duties.
The defending NL East champs have the roster and health in place to make a strong start to the 2025 campaign, but will they hold off the Braves and Mets to repeat as division champs?