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The Philadelphia Phillies have been predicted to lose a key player to a hated rival.
The Philadelphia Phillies have a roster decision to make amid outfielder Johan Rojas’ PED suspension.
Multiple veterans are vying for the final roster spot that Rojas was expected to occupy. However, manager Rob Thomson has added an interesting name to the battle.
Thomson shared that catcher Garrett Stubbs has been working out in the infield and outfield, per Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic.
“There’s nothing that says he couldn’t be the 26th man, and we carry three catchers,” Thomson said.
Stubbs has reportedly been playing first base, left field, and third base. However, due to the urgent need in the outfield, left field might be the best option for Stubbs if he’s ready for the challenge.
What Would Stubbs Bring to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Roster?
The Houston Astros drafted Stubbs in the eighth round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of USC. He would debut in 2019 and exceeded rookie limits in 2020. While with the Astros, Stubbs played 12 games in the outfield, potentially preparing him for this moment.
However, he played in just 51 games with Houston before they traded him to Philadelphia after the 2021 season.
Overall, Stubbs has played in just 197 games (146 with Philadelphia). In his career, Stubbs has hit seven home runs across parts of seven seasons with a .215/.293/.310 slash line.
Stubbs seemed like a viable backup catcher in 2022 with Philadelphia, hitting .264 with five home runs across 46 games. His production at the plate has fallen off since then.
In 100 games from 2023-25, Stubbs has hit just two home runs, while hovering around the Mendoza line.
Stubbs played just five games last season, his fewest since he debuted.
While Stubbs possesses above-average speed, especially for a catcher with a 67th percentile sprint speed according to Baseball Savant, it’s worth wondering if the catcher can make a transition to the outfield.
Entering his age-32 season, Stubbs could still be a valuable bench piece of a contending team if he can prove himself to be that versatile.
Where Would Stubbs Fit on the Roster?
Philadelphia brought back All-Star catcher JT Realmuto on a three-year, $45 million deal this offseason to be the starter.
Rafael Marchan is the favorite for the backup spot due to his defensive prowess and switch-hitting ability. His caught-stealing above average was in the 84th percentile, and his pop time was in the 96th percentile.
Because most teams do not carry three catchers on the 26-man roster, this forces Stubbs to consider other options, including the outfield.
Currently, the Phillies’ starting outfield left to right is Brandon Marsh, Justin Crawford and Adolis Garcia.
Stubbs likely doesn’t have the arm strength or speed to play center field or right field, making left field the most likely option for him. Marsh is also a left-handed hitter, making this a questionable fit due to needing a platoon mate.
Utility-man Dylan Moore and outfielder Bryan De La Cruz are his competition to make the roster.
Moore was recently signed by Philadelphia after being designated for assignment by the Seattle Mariners.
De La Cruz might be the top option in terms of experience, playing 427 games in the outfield from 2021-25.
However, his bat has struggled in recent seasons, but his ability to play all three outfield spots might save him.
While Stubbs likely doesn’t have a fit, even after Rojas’ suspension, he could be a valuable depth piece in the minors if an injury occurs.
Matthew Singer Matthew Singer is a sports reporter covering MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2025, and has two years of experience covering local professional, collegiate and high school sports, including writing for Cronkite News and Arizona PBS. More about Matthew Singer
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