The Philadelphia Phillies have enjoyed a strong 2025 MLB season so far, building an impressive 69-52 record and sitting firmly at the top of the National League East, well ahead of the New York Mets in second place. Much of that success can be credited to the fact that most players have contributed in some way throughout the year, whether through consistent hitting, timely pitching, or solid defense. Still, not everyone has been able to keep pace. A small group of players has struggled to deliver steady performances, leaving the team to question whether they fit into the club’s long term plans.
It may seem premature to think too far ahead, as the season still has time to play out, but in professional baseball, decisions for the following year are often influenced by current-season performances. For certain Phillies who have failed to meet expectations in 2025, those struggles might have already cost them a spot on the roster come Opening Day 2026. Let’s break down five players who, based on their play this year, could be wearing a different uniform or possibly back in the minors — when next season begins.
Otto Kemp (Utility)
Kemp entered 2025 as one of Philadelphia’s most exciting breakout prospects. Playing for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he turned heads with a scorching first half — hitting .313 with an outstanding 1.010 OPS in 58 games. In that time, he crossed the plate 49 times, collected 19 doubles and 14 home runs, and drove in 55 runs, all while swiping 11 bases. Those numbers quickly earned him a call-up to the big leagues in early June.
At first, he appeared ready for the challenge. Kemp notched both a three-hit game and a four-hit game within his first eight MLB appearances, keeping his batting average comfortably above .300. But as opposing pitchers adjusted, the rookie began to falter. Since the All-Star break, his production has nosedived. Over his last 17 games, he’s batting just .212 with a .699 OPS, tallying 19 strikeouts in only 52 at-bats. August has been particularly rough, with a 39.1% strikeout rate in a small sample of 20 at-bats.
The Phillies won’t give up on a promising 25-year-old after just a few bad weeks, especially considering his dominance in Triple-A earlier this year. However, the front office could decide that more seasoning in the minors would help him refine his approach at the plate before returning for another crack at a full MLB season.
Joe Ross (RHP)
Hoping to strengthen their pitching depth last winter, the Phillies signed Joe Ross to a one-year deal. The move looked smart at the time — Ross had just enjoyed a rebound season with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024, posting a 3.77 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 74 innings. His ability to serve as both a starter and reliever made him a versatile piece for any pitching staff.
Unfortunately, 2025 has been a different story. In 34 appearances, Ross has recorded a 4.94 ERA and 1.44 WHIP, with hitters managing to reach base in all but four outings. His inconsistency forced the Phillies to look elsewhere for bullpen stability, including reacquiring 40-year-old veteran David Robertson at the trade deadline. Now relegated mostly to low-leverage innings, Ross doesn’t appear to be part of Philadelphia’s future plans.
Max Kepler (OF)
Philadelphia’s search for a reliable outfielder has been ongoing for multiple seasons. Last winter, the front office rolled the dice on Max Kepler, signing the veteran slugger to a one-year deal in hopes he could provide steady production. Instead, his bat has been a disappointment.
Through 102 games, Kepler is hitting just .210 with a .667 OPS, along with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs. Those underwhelming results pushed the Phillies to trade for Harrison Bader before the deadline in yet another attempt to fix the outfield. While Kepler’s glove and veteran presence still hold value, the team will likely look for a more dependable hitter in the offseason.
Jordan Romano (RHP)
When the Phillies signed former Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano, they believed they were getting an elite late-inning weapon. Romano was a two-time All-Star and had been one of the league’s most dependable relievers for years, despite a down season in 2024. The expectation was that he would take over ninth-inning duties and lock down games.
Instead, his decline has continued. In 45 appearances, Romano owns a 7.24 ERA, a 1.39 WHIP, and a career-worst 33 earned runs allowed surpassing his previous high of 19. He lost the closer’s job early in the year and hasn’t found stability even in middle relief. The trade deadline acquisition of Jhoan Duran, a dominant closer under contract through 2027, has all but ensured Romano’s stint in Philadelphia will last just one season.
Johan Rojas (OF)
A former top prospect with blazing speed and excellent defensive skills, Johan Rojas seemed poised to be a long-term fixture in Philadelphia’s outfield when he debuted in 2023. But while his glove remains a plus, his offensive game has failed to progress.
This year has been his worst yet at the plate. Over 71 games, he’s hitting .224 with a .569 OPS, managing just one home run and 18 RBIs. His struggles were magnified when the Phillies brought in Bader at the deadline and chose to send Rojas not underperforming veteran Max Kepler or bench player Weston Wilson — down to the minors.
Complicating matters is the emergence of 21-year-old phenom Justin Crawford, who has been excelling in Triple-A with a .330 batting average. Crawford’s rapid rise could push Rojas further down the depth chart, possibly out of Philadelphia entirely, by the time 2026 rolls around.
In short, while the Phillies have a winning formula in 2025, not every piece is fitting perfectly. For Kemp, Ross, Kepler, Romano, and Rojas, the clock on proving their worth to the organization may be ticking faster than they’d like.