Five Predictions, Three Storylines & The Lineup for the 2026 Phillies
Predictions
Aidan Miller Plays 3+ Positions in ‘26 + Edmundo Sosa Trade
If the team wants to justify keeping No. 1 prospect Aidan Miller with the big league club, he’ll need to get consistent at-bats similar to what he got at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Say Miller’s talent is blatant, Stott begins handling lefties better, or they’re hovering near contention in July; expect the team to trade infielder/utility guy Edmundo Sosa. The utility magician is an affordable, above-average option whose OPS hovers around .730-.760+ with a good eye for left-handed pitching. He’s secretly a clubhouse favorite, garnering high praise from the front office and teammates. On top, he’s playoff-tested and capable of handling shortstop, second, and third. For contenders needing infield depth, that profile carries real deadline value, especially if he’s playing well. Moving Sosa would open new avenues towards the deadline and put pressure on Bryson Stott to deliver.
That’s where Aidan Miller comes in. Team President Dave Dombrowski spoke with 94WIP on Tuesday morning, stating Aidan Miller’s versatility is a huge plus and a reason he could make the jump from Triple-A to MLB. When asked if he could be with the club in 2026, Dombrowski replied, “Could he? Yes”. This reinforces the idea that Aidan Miller could play meaningful innings for the team in 2026. Yes, he’s blocked by Trea Turner and Alec Bohm at SS and 3B, yet moving Edmundo Sosa and/or an injury would create a path. Miller has logged reps at 3B, SS, and 2B in development, pairing flexibility with an OBP near .380 and a walk rate pushing 15%. The top prospect also steals bases at a high clip. If his bat translates quickly, dealing Sosa would clear the runway.
Aidan Miller –
“Future of the organization”
“Alex Bregman, but with speed”
“Best position player Phillies drafted since Mike Schmidt” pic.twitter.com/eePV8NbxZH
— John Foley (@2008Philz) January 25, 2026
Alec Bohm Over 100 RBI
Bohm has already proven he can be a run producer. He’s hovered around the .280 mark when healthy and has driven in 90+ runs before. He’s had an extremely tough job being the right-hand protection for Bryce Harper, even though his bat is nothing like Rhys Hoskins, who had the task before. In 2023, Harper walked 80 times in only 120 games. His 162-game BB average is close to 100; Alec Bohm’s best year as a Phillies came in 2023, proving that a more patient Harper allows for the best version of Bohm.
Alec Bohm, the present at third.
Aidan Miller, the future?
Remember Alec Bohm has been top 10 in the NL over his 5 full seasons with the Phillies:
Batting Average (min 2,000 ABs)
.275 (10th NL)
Avg w/ RISP (min 500 ABs)
.298 (8th NL)
RBI w/RISP
291 (t-7th in NL) pic.twitter.com/FIxoRsxCRG
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) February 17, 2026
Outside of injuries, ground-ball double plays, and bat spikes, Bohm’s contact rate consistently sits above league average. His hard-hit percentage is trending up near some of the league’s best, which means he’s getting bad bounces without much luck. If he can stay healthy, level-headed, and confident behind Harper, Schwarber and Turner (all players with OBPs north of .340), Bohm should be seeing 100 RBI, it’s just math. In the years Bohm had over 540+ appearances at the plate, he’s been his best.
Zack Wheeler Finishes Top 3 in NL Cy Young
Zack Wheeler is the best Cy Young runner-up ever. They ought to give him one simply because of the number of times he’s finished top 5 in voting. Regularly dominant in the postseason, meaning his late-season burnout comes from regularly pitching deep into games, costing him tight races for the award late in August. Wheeler’s career WHIP sits near 1.00/1.10, and his K to BB ratio is elite.
A delayed 2026 start from off-season thoracic outlet surgery will limit early innings and lessen the odds for an ill-timed burnout/stumble. This year, Wheeler can rest until March/April, instead of being relied on so heavily upfront. This will preserve his late-season dominance, increasing his odds at a top 3 (or 1) Cy Young finish.
Harper Wins First Gold Glove at 1B
Since moving to first base, Bryce Harper is now a certified baller at the position. His stretch ability has drawn praise internally, and his need to get dirty makes him a vacuum-like glove. Advanced metrics also praise his scoop ability compared with the lack of errors.
Narrative matters for Gold Gloves. In 2025, Harper played a great first base but lacked his usual elite batting numbers. He also wasn’t the headline grabber he normally is. The pressure (and attention) will be locked on the Phillies and Harper in 2026. If he’s the anchor for a playoff-caliber defense, posts the same defensive metrics at first while rebounding offensively, this will be the year he edges out last year’s winner, Matt Olson, and others.
Crawford & Painter Play Meaningful Postseason Roles
Run it back? No, just a youth injection. Justin Crawford and Andrew Painter won’t just be on the roster; they’ll matter. In 2025, the team lacked speed and explosiveness. Traits that turn singles into doubles, allow for bunt situations, create havoc on the bases, while covering ground on defense. Crawford’s 50+ stolen base pace in the minors, paired with a high-contact swing, makes him a weapon they haven’t had in a long time. A profile that, once on first base, should easily find ways to get to third. Johan Rojas is not the talent or bat that Crawford is. Unlike Rojas, Crawford offers a more well-rounded at-bat who can hit both lefties and righties, killing the need for late changes in big moments. Speed, extended hits, and small ball change games in October. The team saw it firsthand during the 2025 NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers: inches matter.
Justin Crawford showing off the range in center 👀 pic.twitter.com/yMSyELhOkD
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) February 25, 2026
Painter’s upside is unlimited. First, he’ll have to re-find his fastball to keep him ahead in counts. If fixed, Andrew Painter (if not a star by then) is the perfect long-man option behind the trio of Wheeler/Sanchez/Luzardo, similar to that of Ranger Suárez in 2022. When healthy, Painter’s swing-and-miss stuff is absurd, that is, absurdly good. The possibility of Painter finding his control before August with a president in Dombrowski, who’s allowed rookie arms to pitch big innings in the past, would be an amazing opportunity to bridge for closer Jhoan Duran.
On Thursday, Phillies manager Rob Thomson spoke on SportsRadio 94WIP, stating he wants Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber to bat in the first inning. Surprisingly, his next comment stated that he was unsure how he would stack the trio in 2026.
Left to Right (Most Likely, Fresh Look, Fantasy)
Trea Turner
Trea Turner
Bryson Stott
Kyle Schwarber
Bryce Harper
Trea Turner
Bryce Harper
Kyle Schwarber
Bryce Harper
Alec Bohm
Garcia/Bohm
Kyle Schwarber
Brandon Marsh
Adolis Garcia
Garcia/Bohm
Brandon Marsh
JT Realmuto
JT Realmuto
Alec Bohm
Bryson Stott
Bryson Stott
JT Realmuto
Justin Crawford
Justin Crawford
Bench: Otto Kemp, Edmundo Sosa, *OF1, *OF2 -*Multiple Player Battle
Lineup changes in Philadelphia are as common as the weather. Ideally, you want Harper and Schwarber getting as many at-bats as possible. Like in past years, the lineup falls off in terms of power and consistency after the trio. Especially considering Harper and Schwarber are both big swinging lefties, which is a dream for opposing bullpen arms who mow down left-handed batters. Rob Thomson will continue to use a pencil instead of a Sharpie while brainstorming, since the void of a proven right-handed power bat is still the issue. The (4) four spot in the lineup will start with the right-handed Alec Bohm, so there’s more R/L variety. Expect Adolis García and others to get opportunities at cleanup also. The team is putting a lot of pressure on Bohm to produce in a contract year.
Opinion: Personally, I trust enough in either Turner, Stott, or Harper to get on base enough to slot Schwarber in the four-spot. Compare the third (fantasy) lineup to the first (most likely) and tell me the 3rd lineup isn’t much stronger, 1-9. Imagine a Trea single, Bryce walk, and Schwarber at the plate. I get it, Kyle’s bat is just too good, especially early in games, not to guarantee a 1st inning AB.
Storylines
Infield Superiority
Bold or not, the infield that starts 2026 will not finish 2026. Rob Thomson has his hands full considering how many unproven, streaky, and platoon-needy infielders fill out his depth chart. Many view ‘26 as a pivotal year for both Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm. Don’t forget, Edmundo Sosa and Aidan Miller are huge components. In 2025, Edmundo Sosa had two fewer home runs than Bryson Stott in 300 (!!!) fewer at-bats. There was a good chunk of last season where Sosa was simply the better player at the plate. Sosa has flaws, but posted an OPS north of .750 last season with above average defensive at three spots. Bohm remains the most stable bat of the group, coming off another season with a 40+ doubles pace. In his case, the top Phillies prospect, Miller, is breathing down his neck for playing time.
Miller has a profile that screams an advanced approach at the plate. He’s already getting reps at third, second, and short, signaling the organization is focusing on his flexibility, leading to a call-up sooner rather than later. When he arrives, he’ll need to get at-bats frequently. Throw in the towel with Stott if Sosa is the better option? Do you trade Sosa or Bohm and offer Miller that role? Do you stick by Bohm when struggling as your top prospect (also third baseman) waits eagerly? If Miller’s bat translates quickly, someone loses at-bats. The infield won’t be decided by reputation; it’ll be decided by who lengthens the lineup most consistently.
Patience With Youth vs. Win-Now Pressure
Clubhouse urgency. How long can you allow Justin Crawford to hold down center field if he’s struggling to lift the ball? How long can you continue to roll out Andrew Painter if his control is still a mess? What if the left field platoon of Marsh & Kemp doesn’t turn fruitful? There aren’t many options behind any of these issues. The front office’s patience or lack thereof will signal how serious they are about winning now, compared to the future of the club.
Big Contracts + Extensions
Payroll is top-heavy, anchored by long-term deals for Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Bryce Harper. If performance dips and results end up poor, you need to find a way to shed one of the aging mega-contracts before 2027. A subpar season or missing the playoffs with high payroll concentration will surely force uncomfortable conversations in terms of reallocating value. Harper, Schwarber, and Wheeler should be safe, but others? On the flip side, extension decisions loom for ascending players. If someone like Stott bounces back, paired with Dave Dombrowski’s comments on Tuesday stating they still believe in his talent, an extension could be handed out. Same with Jesús Luzardo, who is lobbying for an extension already and is likely to get one. The direction of 2026 won’t just determine the World Series winner; it will shape the Phillies’ financial architecture for the next five years.