Philadelphia Phillies: Projecting the Opening Day 26 man roster

The Philadelphia Phillies opening day roster crunch is fast approaching with less than two weeks to go until the first official game of the 2021 season.

Looking to break a nine season playoff drought, Joe Girardi and Co. have one of the better rosters in recent team history. They’re carrying two potential MVP candidates in Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto, the runner-up for Rookie of the Year in Alec Bohm, and a revamped bullpen likely highlighted by experienced relievers.

They do have to fight through a daunting National League East, which includes the reigning National League MVP Freddie Freeman and one of, if not the, best pitchers in baseball with the New York Mets, Jacob deGrom.

Philadelphia’s final position battles come down to four key areas: the starting rotation, the bullpen, the bench, and center field. The remaining starting jobs and front-half of the rotation are likely set, barring any injury.

More from Section 215

• 4 Eagles on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
• Best Pennsylvania Sportsbook Promos: Win $650 GUARANTEED Bonus PLUS $100 off NFL Sunday Ticket
• 3 Punters the Eagles Must Target to Replace Arryn Siposs
• Cowboys Trey Lance Trade Proves How Screwed They Are With Dak Prescott
• Devon Allen Took Britain Covey’s Job on Eagles

Here’s a look at the catcher situation for the Philadelphia Phillies on opening day.

Starter: J.T. Realmuto

Phillies fans were not optimistic that J.T. Realmuto would return this offseason, not because he isn’t a good player, but because they didn’t believe ownership would pay to keep him. John Middleton and the Buck family proved fans wrong, rewarding Realmuto with a $115.5 million contract to be the highest-paid catcher in baseball history on an average annual basis.

Realmuto scared fans early in camp when he broke his thumb blocking a Jose Alvarado pitch. Indications from Girardi are pointing in a positive direction for J.T. being not just on the opening day roster, but starting behind the plate.

There is a chance the team is cautious with their superstar catcher, but if he’s ready and healthy they need every win they can get this season – starting with 13 straight games in the division.

Backup: Andrew Knapp

Andrew Knapp has gone from being an annoyance to Phillies fans to a solid backup catcher and energy guy on the bench. The former second-round pick put together his best season in 2020 hitting .278 with a .404 on-base percentage in 33 of the 60 games played.

Knapp earned the support of his manager last year and is likely to hold off veteran Jeff Mathis or project Rafael Marchan, another favorite of Girardi’s. Marchan is on the 40-man roster but will likely start in Triple-A or whatever form the minor leagues ultimately take in 2021.

The Phillies would probably like to keep Mathis on a minor league deal, but he’s likely to get picked up by another team looking for a veteran backup catcher. If by some chance he does not get a major league offer, he could be a valuable bench piece down the road if Realmuto or Knapp are injured.