For the second year in a row, the Philadelphia Phillies have captured the NL East title, setting themselves up well as the postseason approaches. If they continue to finish games strong, a first-round bye could soon be within reach.
With October baseball looming, the Phillies now face important decisions about their postseason roster construction. Questions remain about how the starting rotation will shape up, what arms will fill out the bullpen, and whether any younger players could provide a spark.
One name unlikely to factor heavily is backup catcher Garrett Stubbs. With J.T. Realmuto and Rafael Marchan ahead of him on the depth chart, Stubbs’ chances of seeing meaningful at-bats in October appear slim.
Garrett Stubbs was brought up in early September to serve as a third catching option and to give J.T. Realmuto some much-needed rest. However, Matt Grazel of That Ball’s Outta Here believes that contribution alone isn’t nearly enough to warrant a spot on the postseason roster.
“If Stubbs ends up on the Phillies’ playoff roster for any reason other than an injury to one of the two catchers ahead of him, it would be purely a sentimental move based on the positive energy he brings to the clubhouse,” Grazel argued. “That simply isn’t a strong enough reason to justify his inclusion.”
With past playoff disappointments still fresh, the Phillies can’t afford to make roster choices based on clubhouse vibes. They’ll need to prioritize players who can truly make an impact and give them the best chance to succeed in October.