The Philadelphia Phillies wrapped up the season with 96 wins, but several key contributors failed to meet expectations. Even with their regular-season success and a second straight National League East title, the team once again fell short in the postseason, bowing out in the NLDS for the second consecutive year.
While standouts like Cristopher Sánchez and Kyle Schwarber had strong campaigns, a few players noticeably underperformed.
Some members of the roster carry more weight in determining the Phillies’ overall success, and their struggles were particularly disappointing for fans who expected more. Which of these players will look to bounce back and deliver stronger performances in 2026?
One of the biggest talking points this offseason for Phillies fans and media alike will be whether Bryce Harper is beginning to show signs of wear. Having played in the majors since age 19 — a rarity — his long career has taken a toll, even as it speaks to his exceptional talent.
Harper turned in a solid 2025 campaign, but it wasn’t the superstar-level season fans have come to expect. Team president Dave Dombrowski even acknowledged that the former NL MVP has had better years and raised questions about whether Harper can still reach that elite level again. The first baseman missed over three weeks in June due to right wrist inflammation.
His .844 OPS, while still strong, marked his lowest since 2016 (.814), along with his .361 wOBA and .487 slugging percentage — both also his lowest since that same season.
The postseason wasn’t kind to Harper either. He posted a .600 OPS, his lowest in the playoffs since his 2012 rookie year (.521), and went homerless for the first time in the postseason since 2016. He also failed to record a single RBI in October — a first in his career.
Known for holding himself accountable and defending fans’ right to express frustration, Harper is expected to approach the offseason with determination. Phillies fans can count on him showing up to spring training highly motivated to rebound in 2026.
José Alvarado’s 2025 season was derailed by both suspension and injury. The left-hander missed 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug in May, a major setback for the Phillies’ bullpen.
Before the suspension, Alvarado had been one of the team’s most trusted late-inning relievers. When he returned on August 20, he appeared in just eight games before suffering a left forearm strain that ended his season in mid-September. Due to the suspension, he was ineligible for postseason play.
It’s fair to wonder whether he would have been fully healthy for October even without the suspension, but his absence left a noticeable hole in the bullpen. The Phillies now face a decision on his $9 million club option for 2026. Given his past reliability and importance as a high-leverage lefty, they may opt to retain him.
Aaron Nola
Aaron Nola endured the most difficult season of his 11-year MLB career. His 0.9 fWAR was the lowest of his tenure, and he battled both inconsistency and injuries.
The former first-round pick missed significant time for the first time since 2016, sidelined by a high ankle sprain and a rib stress fracture. In total, he made only 17 starts, finishing with a 6.01 ERA and a 4.58 FIP — both career worsts. His 3.46 strikeout-to-walk ratio was his lowest since 2019.
Though he showed flashes of brilliance late in the year, including two strong September outings, his uneven season led to a reduced role in the playoffs. Manager Rob Thomson pulled him after just two innings in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, a must-win game for Philadelphia.
The Phillies can only hope 2025 was an outlier rather than the beginning of a decline. With five years left on his seven-year, $172 million contract, Nola’s ability to bounce back will be critical for the team’s future success.