As the Philadelphia Phillies emerge from the All-Star break and begin the second half of the 2025 season, the next two and a half months carry enormous weight.
Following two straight failed bids to return to the World Series after their thrilling 2022 run, the team’s veteran nucleus is nearing the end of its window. With several aging players and multiple pending free agents, this final stretch could be the last shot for this core group to win together.
If the Phillies are truly aiming for a second consecutive NL East title and hope to enter the postseason on a roll, they’ll need production across the board—something that’s been inconsistent this year.
Here are the five Phillies:
Max Kepler, OF
Kepler hasn’t lived up to expectations since signing a one-year, $10 million deal this offseason. Brought in to be the everyday left fielder, he’s instead underperformed and publicly voiced frustration about his limited role. His .210/.307/.371 line hasn’t earned him much sympathy from fans. He may get one final chance post-All-Star break, but odds are high that he could be released if things don’t improve quickly.
Joe Ross, RHP
Ross, another offseason addition, has struggled in his bullpen role. After a solid 2024 campaign with the Brewers, his 2025 numbers—a 5.40 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and just a 16.1% strikeout rate over 41 2/3 innings—have been disappointing. Signed for $4 million, Ross could be a roster casualty if the Phillies add bullpen help at the deadline.
Mick Abel, RHP
Once a top pitching prospect, Abel has had a turbulent journey. After a rocky stint in the majors, he was sent back to Triple-A. With Philadelphia drafting several college pitchers this year, Abel may be on his last chance to prove he belongs in the organization. If he doesn’t impress in the minors soon, he could become a trade chip rather than part of the Phillies’ future.
Johan Rojas, OF
Rojas has had another uneven season, failing to consistently hit—especially against lefties. After a promising start, he slumped badly through May and June, batting just .153/.218/.222 with a 23.7% strikeout rate. Outfield upgrades are on the team’s radar, so Rojas must show that his defense is valuable enough to keep him on the roster. Otherwise, a demotion to Triple-A by the deadline is very possible.
Jordan Romano, RHP
Romano signed a one-year, $8.5 million deal to revive his career, but things haven’t gone as planned. Despite briefly lowering his ERA below 7.00 in late June, a couple of poor outings before the break pushed it back up to 7.29. His All-Star pedigree may give him some cushion, but these next few weeks will be critical if he wants to stay in the bullpen for the rest of the season.
