It doesn’t look like it outside if you live in the greater Philadelphia area, but MLB Spring Training is here. Phillies pitchers and catchers will begin workouts tomorrow in Clearwater, with position players following a few days later. The air in Florida is warm in Florida and filled with hope and optimism.

While some fans believe there isn’t much to be excited about for the 2026 edition of the NL East champions, I disagree. These next few weeks will give us a glimpse of a future for the team that could be a bright one. We are listing our top five things to be excited about as the leather starts popping at the Carpenter Complex.

An Encore from Cristopher Sanchez

Many are worried about what’s become of the Phillies rotation. Zack Wheeler underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, Aaron Nola suffered through injuries and a loss of velocity and effectiveness, but if you focused on that, you missed the emergence of the Phillies’ next true ace. Cristopher Sanchez quietly had one of the best seasons in team history among left-handers.

Sanchez posted a 13-5 record with a 2.50 ERA, and led all MLB pitchers with a bWAR of 8.0. No pitcher had more quality starts (22), and he was one of four NL pitchers to hold opponents to an OPS less than .600. He was just as effective in the NLDS series against the World Series champion Dodgers, allowing just three runs in 12 innings.

If the 29-year-old lefty can approach his performance level of 2025, Phillies fans will be very happy on days he is scheduled to take the hill.

Aidan Miller’s Hitting Prowess

The franchise’s top prospect enters the spring without a pre-determined roster slot, but many believe the 21-year-old infielder has turned a corner on his road to the bigs.

Miller power/speed combo reminds some of incumbent shortstop and reigning batting champ Trea Turner. From August 1 to the end of the season, in double-A and triple-A, he posted an OPS of 1.099, and led the organization with 59 stolen bases. If he keeps this up, it could lead to some very difficult decisions for the team sooner rather than later.

Justin Crawford’s Speed

As the saying goes, genetics are undefeated. Crawford’s father, 15-year MLB veteran Carl Crawford, built a career on speed that earned him 4 All-Star nods. Carl’s 22-year-old son will start 2026 in the Phillies outfield, and we are looking forward to seeing his wheels.

In 325 minor league games – almost exactly two MLB seasons – the team’s top pick in the 2022 Draft has 145 stolen bases. He may not hit .334 with a .411 OBP like he did in AAA last year, but his contact rate and walk rate are things that will translate, and he should have opportunities to create havoc on the basepaths.

Andrew Painter’s Arsenal

We have not seen the re-emergence of pre-Tommy John Andrew Painter. Yet. But considering 2025 was his first full season since his surgery, and he made it through 118 innings without any setbacks, I feel positive about Painter taking a big step forward as he joins the big club in 2026.

His arsenal of pitches, relative to his age, is almost unrivaled. He recorded double-digit strikeouts with *five* different pitches this past season in AAA:

Curveball: 43

4-seamer: 31

Changeup: 23

Cutter: 12

Slider: 11

His 4-seam averaged 96.6 mph according to Statcast, and touched 100 several times. He has a genuine shot at making the rotation to start the season, as the Phillies add another big arm to their formidable staff.

Andrew Painter’s minor league stats this season for Low-A Clearwater & AAA Lehigh Valley:

6 G | 19.1 IP | 16 H | 7 ER | 6 BB | 20 K | 3 HR | 3.26 ERA | 1.13 WHIPpic.twitter.com/9jfx24794R

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) May 18, 2025

Bryce Harper’s Revenge Tour

I have no statistics to back this up. I have only this quote from Dave Dombrowski back in October:

“He didn’t have an elite season like he has had in the past. And I guess we only find out if he becomes elite or he continues to be good. … Can he rise to the next level again? I don’t really know that answer. He’s the one that will dictate that more than anything else.”

Harper went through the effort of customizing a “NOT ELITE” shirt to wear during workouts, and posted himself, and the shirt, on social media. But Harper isn’t petty. He’s a man of action. Just ask Orlando Arcia. Or this Giants fan. Dude doesn’t mess around. The theme for Harper in 2026 is clear.

Elite? I’ll show you elite.