Feb 19, 2025; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first base Kody Clemens (2) takes fielding practice during spring training workouts at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Phillies received some unfortunate news on Saturday about right-handed bench bat and utility fielder Weston Wilson. Manager Rob Thompson told reporters after the game on Saturday that the 30-year-old outfielder will likely miss six weeks with an oblique injury that he sustained on Friday before the first game action of spring training.
It’s news that no one wanted to hear, especially Wilson, who had worked tirelessly to put himself in a great position to take that final bench spot on the Opening Day roster for the Phillies in 2025.
But injuries are a part of the game, and it’s just “next man up” for the Phillies at this point. There are a number of internal options available to Thompson, Dave Dombrowski and the rest of the Phillies coaching staff and front office who can step up and take that final spot.
Ranking top contenders for Phillies’ final roster spot with Weston Wilson out of the picture
No. 1: Buddy Kennedy
Buddy Kennedy, the 26-year-old utility player, tops the list as the potential replacement for Wilson on the Phillies’ Opening Day roster. Kennedy was given a brief look from the Phillies in 2024, when he appeared in eight games. In those games, he recorded two hits, one being a double, two RBI, two walks and just three strikeouts.
The big boost for Kennedy is that he bats from the right side, which is a big missing piece for this left-handed heavy Phillies lineup. Mainly playing 2024 in Triple-A, between Lehigh Valley and Toledo, he hit .273/.376/.458 with 13 home runs and 31 doubles.
Off the field, Kennedy is out of options, so the Phillies risk losing him if they try to send him down to the minors at the start of the season. The Millville, New Jersey native helped his cause on Saturday when he belted a two-run home run and drew a walk, ending his day going 1-for-2.
Woah there, Buddy!! pic.twitter.com/VOUfuj6t6q
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) February 22, 2025
No. 2: Kody Clemens
Kody Clemens has been around this team for some time now. Since coming over from Detroit in a 2023 offseason trade, he has played 90 games. In those games, he has a slash line of .225/.268/.403 with nine home runs, 31 RBI and 1:5.3 walk-to-strikeout ratio.
For the Phillies, he has played first base, second base, third base and left field, so the versatility and experience he offers in multiple fielding positions is a huge benefit. The big downside of Clemens is he is a left-handed hitter, which the Phillies have plenty of.
Clemens is also out of options so the Phillies risk losing him to another team if they opt to send him down. Clemens has just two plate appearances in spring training so far and has a hit in one of those at-bats.
No. 3: Christian Arroyo
The Phillies signed free agent Christian Arroyo at the beginning of training camp. The 29-year-old utility infielder bats from the right side of the plate and has spent the last seven years at the major league level with four teams, but primarily with Boston from 2020 to 2023. Though he didn’t make a major league appearance in 2024, he has a career .693 OPS with a slash line of .252/.299/.394 with 24 career home runs and 120 RBI.
He has played second base, third base and shortstop which will allow Thompson to move him around to spell some of the everyday guys. Additionally, his right-handed bat, which has some pop, will be attractive to the Phillies as they narrow down their Opening Day roster.
In spring training so far, Arroyo has just four plate appearances but does have one hit, a home run. He has a career 1:4.2 walk-to-strikeout ratio, and that hasn’t been better this spring training with zero walks and three strikeouts already.
No. 4: Cal Stevenson
Cal Stevenson is a 28-year-old outfielder who has been a minor leaguer for the majority of his career. He has played parts of three seasons in the majors on three different teams but for a total of just 47 games and 110 plate appearances. In those 47 games, from 2022 to 2024, he has hit .172/.278/.237 with zero home runs, seven RBI, one stolen base and a 1:2.1 walk-to-strikeout ratio.
With the Phillies last season, when he stepped in for 18 games, he recorded six hits with an OPS of .708 and knocked in six of his seven career RBI. In just two games early in spring training, Stevenson has just one hit, which was a double, in five plate appearances. He bats from the left side of the plate, which would limit the Phillies’ flexibility off the bench. In the past, he has played exclusively in the outfield but has been getting some exposure on the infield this spring, with starts at first and third base.
