Phillies

Thoughts and Answers After Two Phillies Spring Training Games

By Luke Arcaini

Published: Feb 23rd, 2026 · 12:48 PM EST

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The 2026 season is underway, sort of. The Phillies played two Grapefruit League games this past weekend and are 0-2. Fire the coach? Blow the team up? 215-592…

I have a bunch of thoughts through the first two games, maybe a little more than I should have. I asked my Twitter followers for some questions regarding the team, so we’re going to kill two birds with one stone.

Thought: The Phillies’ bullpen is going to be awesome

I’ve raved about it all offseason, but I’ve really enjoyed the way the Phillies have gone about building their bullpen this offseason. They’re not throwing darts at washed-up old relievers. They’re finding young guys with potential, working with them, and hoping a couple of them stick. It’s only been two games, but this is how I see the bullpen shaking out on March 26th vs. the Texas Rangers at Citizens Bank Park:

• Jhoan Duran
• Brad Keller
• Jose Alvarado
• Orion Kerkering
• Tanner Banks
• Jonathan Bowlan
• Zach McCambley
• Kyle Backhus

Backhus could be the odd man out because he has options remaining, unlike Zach Pop, who has no more options. But Backhus looked really good on Sunday, and that arm slot is ridiculously cool. It throws hitters off. When Backhus threw live batting practice a couple of days ago, even players like Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper were shocked. That’s a recipe for success. Backhus has my eye early, along with McCambley.

Question: “Is Otto Kemp a lock to make the Opening Day roster in your opinion? Could Bryan De La Cruz compete for that platoon role?” – @Philly_Isaac via X

I think there’s a world where both could make the team. De La Cruz on the roster would be a big plus for the Phillies, because it means that he’s back at the plate. He had a fantastic offseason in the Dominican Winter League, and he’s competing for a job this spring.

Right now, I’d be utterly shocked if Otto Kemp didn’t make the roster. The Phillies have praised him all offseason as part of the youth movement with Justin Crawford, Andrew Painter, and more.

You carry 13 pitchers, the eight relievers I listed above, and the five starters. JT Realmuto, Rafael Marchan, Harper, Schwarber, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, and Edmundo Sosa bring that number to 21. That leaves you five spots left. I think it could end up being Brandon Marsh, Crawford, Adolis Garcia, Kemp, and De La Cruz, if he has a good enough camp.

Well, you just got my 26-man roster prediction, so enjoy!

Question: “Any bold predictions you wanna throw out there? Mine is the same one that I’ve been saying for the past couple years until it actually happens(bc one of these years I’m gonna be right), with Marsh hitting his first career grand slam.” – @missdmh801 via X

That’s a fun one! I think Garcia has an awesome year, and we look back on some tweets from some people and laugh really hard. I think Garcia is a guy that rises when the team around him is good. You saw what he did in 2023 when the Rangers won the World Series. I think he’ll thrive in a big clubhouse.

Brad Keller making the All-Star Game is another take; I just don’t know how hot it is. Crawford is going to have a serious run at Rookie of the Year, but he won’t win because the stats won’t be “flashy” enough, although I think he has a great season.

Thought: Bryce Harper really wants Aidan Miller in the pros

Bryce Harper always drops something good when he’s getting interviewed during a spring training game. On Sunday, he may or may not have broken the news of Aidan Miller dealing with a back injury, but he also continued to praise Miller and said he can help this team win a World Series later this year:

Phillies prospect Aidan Miller has a sore back. Phillies want to be careful with him so he’s taking it easy this week, getting treatment.

If he was healthy, he would’ve played yesterday in Dunedin.

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) February 22, 2026

While Crawford and Painter will be the two prospects to make the team out of camp, I think it’s eye-opening how much the organization has talked and praised Miller while he doesn’t have a position to play as of right now. The Phillies could look to trade Alec Bohm at the deadline to try and get something for him before he (most likely) leaves in free agency. I don’t think that’s off the table at all. Miller won’t be up early, but it’s really intriguing to see the dialogue flying through the team about a guy with that much potential.

Thought: It was a good first showing for Garcia

I saw Jack Fritz put something out about this on Saturday, and I completely agreed with him. Garcia’s at-bats looked good, even though he didn’t get a hit. Rob Thomson has mentioned a few times since the signing that they want Garcia to become more patient at the plate, because when he is, he rakes. He wasn’t chasing much on Saturday, which was a good start.

Thought: Crawford is going to be so much fun

It was just one game, I know. But man, that was a fun start for Justin Crawford.

The near-homer, the double off of the wall, the tracking of the fly balls. Philadelphia is going to love this kid because of how he plays the game, and he’s already showing it early in camp.

Stop worrying about his past ground ball rate.