Fantasy Baseball Year in Review – Philadelphia Phillies

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  • By Larry Vannozzi

    Last Updated on October 31, 2025 2:13 pm by Paul Williamson | Published: October 31, 2025

    The Phillies were hungry for a good year after being booted from the 2024 NLDS by division rival NY Mets. They started well but a losing stretch in early June turned a one-game lead over the Mets into a five-game deficit. Thereafter, the Mets collapsed and the Phils were one of MLB’s best teams, easily winning the NL East by 13 games on a 96-66 record. This was impressive because they had significant injury-related absences by two key starting pitchers (Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler).

    Unfortunately, the 2025 postseason went the same way it did the previous year as the Phils failed to win the NLDS. This time, they ran into the buzzsaw of the newly healthy and defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

    This year’s sour end was compounded by potential losses via free agency. J.T. Realmuto, Ranger Suárez and NL home run leader Kyle Schwarber are free agents this offseason. Important decisions loom. Also, Zack Wheeler had significant surgery in September and could miss at least the early part of 2026.

    Catcher

    You expect a 34-year-old catcher to be past his peak and that seems where we are with J.T. Realmuto. He’s still good – just not as good as he was a few years ago.  Realmuto hit .257/.315/.384 (each lower than the previous year and his career averages) with 12 homers, 52 RBI and eight steals in 134 games to rank as the No. 15 catcher. Expect a further slight decrease in Realmuto’s production next year and his draft value may hinge on where he plays. He is a free agent this offseason and might not get to call hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Ballpark home.

    First base

    Bryce Harper said he was “uncomfortable” upon hearing Phillies GM Dave Dombrowski’s assessment that Harper “…didn’t have an elite season like he has had in the past.” However, facts are facts and Harper did NOT have an elite season compared to some of his past production. He was good but he missed time and was not great. Fantasy managers who drafted Harper near his 25 ADP surely agree because Harper finished just outside of the Top 100.

    Harper slashed .261/.357/.487. Those are lower than he hit the previous year and lower than his career averages. His batting average was nearly 20 points below his career average although, admittedly, his expected batting average was .280. Harper had 27 homers, 75 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Very good numbers but none of them are in the star’s career Top 5.  Missing over three weeks with wrist inflammation contributed to Harper’s reduced production. His walk rate, strikeout rate, exit velocities and barrel rate were similar to those of his past few years so there’s no reason to expect a big decrease next year. In fact, if he can avoid injury and hit closer to this year’s .280 expected average, Harper should improve from this year’s Top 100 status to a more familiar Top 30-40 level in 2026.

    Second base

    It was hard to follow Bryson Stott this year. He started hot (.314 in April), slumped badly for three months (.206 May-July) then caught fire again by hitting .310 across August and September. He was occasionally benched when the Phillies faced lefties yet he still hit 13 homers, had 66 RBI and went 24-for-29 in stolen bases. His season was a chaotic ride but one that left Stott roughly where he started as his production nearly met his 175 ADP. His slash line of .257/.328/.391 was very close to his career averages and almost identical to his expected stats. His walk rate, strikeout rate and exit velocities were consistent with his past, so expect similar production next year.

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    Larry is a meteorologist who was fortunate to have a 36-year career “doing his hobby” with the National Weather Service. He’s a weather weenie who was fascinated by weather in elementary school and graduated with a degree in meteorology from Penn State. He obsesses about fantasy sports, weather and the Phillies.

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    October 31, 2025, 2:13 pm