Top 10 things to know about the 2023 Phillies
Expectations for the Phillies’ $300 million addition, a prime bounce-back candidate and more for a team with World Series dreams.
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Quick hits as the Phillies try to recapture the magic of last year, which was — what? — actually five months ago.
10. Turner by the numbers
Hard not to get excited at what Trea Turner could do after his dominant performance at the World Baseball Classic. Here are some numbers to file away.
Batting average (min. 500 PA)
Turner last season: .298
Turner’s career high: .335 (in 2020)
Phillies record for SS: Dick Bartel, .310 (in 1934)
OPS (min. 500 PA)
Turner last season: .809
Turner’s career high: .982 (in 2020)
Phillies record for SS: Jimmy Rollins, .875 (in 2007)
» READ MORE: How Phillies shortstop Trea Turner has built a rapport with double-play partner Bryson Stott
Home runs
Turner last season: 21
Turner’s career high: 28 (in 2021)
Phillies record for SS: Rollins, 30 (in 2007)
RBIs
Turner last season: 100
Turner’s career high: 100 (in 2022)
Phillies record for SS: Rollins, 94 (in 2007)
Strikeouts
Turner last season: 131
Turner’s career high: 132 (in 2018)
Phillies record for SS: Freddy Galvis, 136 (in 2016)
9. How Trea fits in
Before they left for the World Baseball Classic, Kyle Schwarber made this observation about Turner: “He fits exactly the personalities in here.”
8. Bounce-back year?
Nick Castellanos had a few postseason highlights, but even he’d have to agree that his 2022 season was a disappointment. If he regains his 2021 form, it’ll be like adding a prized free agent. MLB.com recently named him a top-10 candidate for the unofficial title of most improved player.
Castellanos, 2021, Reds: 138 G, .309 AVG, .939 OPS, 34 HRs, 100 RBIs, Silver Slugger
Castellanos, 2022, Phillies: 136 G, .263 AVG, .694 OPS, 13 HRs, 62 RBIs, Struggling Slugger
7. Exceeding expectations again?
The Phillies have gone over their preseason projected win total two years in a row. BetMGM opened them up at 88.5, but because of some optimism, it’s moved up a smidge. Here’s a look at the NL East as of March 22: Braves 95.5, Mets 92.5, Phillies 89.5, Marlins 76.5, Nationals 60.5.
» READ MORE: Third place in the NL East? Phillies not buying computer projections for 2023
6. Big finish vs. Mets
The Phillies went 5-14 against the Mets last season (gasp). They’ll play just 13 times this season, including seven games in the final 11 days this year. There will be a four-game set at Citizens Bank Park starting Sept. 21, and they’ll close the season with three games in New York from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
5. Pitch clock impact
Aaron Nola was one of the most deliberate pitchers in baseball. It’ll be interesting to see how the new pitch clock affects him. As The Inquirer’s David Murphy wrote earlier this spring, “he’s like a 33 rpm record that needs to reprogram itself to a 45.”
» READ MORE: Three new MLB rules, and three Phillies who likely will be impacted
4. Which Walker will the Phillies get?
Hard to have a disastrous All-Star season, but Taijuan Walker in 2021 went 7-3 with a 2.66 ERA in the first half of the season when he replaced Mets teammate Jacob deGrom on the National League team. He went 0-8 with a 7.13 ERA in the second half of 2021. He steadied himself last season by going 12-5 with a 3.49 ERA. Walker’s last complete game was in 2016.
3. deGrom up first
The Phillies are expected to face deGrom on opening day. He signed a five-year deal with Texas for $185 million in December. Bryce Harper (12-for-41, .293) is the only current Phillie who has had a modicum of success against deGrom and, of course, Harper will not play in the opener. Turner (11-for-46, .239) has struck out 11 times against deGrom. J.T. Realmuto (4-for-32, .125), Schwarber (1-for-12), and Alec Bohm (0-for-8) also have struggled against deGrom, a future Hall of Famer.
2. An All-Star added to the bullpen
Reliever Gregory Soto, acquired from Detroit in a five-player deal that included Matt Vierling, was an All-Star the last two years with the Tigers. He’ll be pitching for a contender for the first time in his career. In his four seasons there, Detroit finished 53.5, 12, 16, and 26 games back in the AL Central.
1. Kimbrel at home at the Bank
Presumptive closer Craig Kimbrel has never allowed a run in 21 appearances at Citizens Bank Park. He had 29 strikeouts in 19⅓ innings with the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Braves. The highlight of the Dodgers celebration of National Women’s Day last season was 4-year-old daughter Lydia’s choice of “Let It Go” from the movie soundtrack Frozen as her father’s entrance song. Lydia was born with a heart defect that required several surgeries when she was an infant. Every day is a blessing for the Kimbrel family.
» READ MORE: Will Craig Kimbrel reemerge as a closer for the Phillies? His ‘twin’, Billy Wagner, believes he can.