Rafael Marchán has had a few tastes of the big leagues. His MLB debut was back in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. But in the time since then, he’s struggled to stay healthy and develop consistency in what’s considered the most physically challenging position in baseball.

After a long wait, he’s finally got his chance to stay at the top.

Marchán recently found out that he’ll be the backup catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies to start the season. Despite being called up for stints in both 2021 and 2024, he’s never been on an Opening Day roster.

“I’m just happy,” Marchán told MLB.com’s Dawn Klemish. “I’ve been waiting for this for so long.”

The Phillies are the only baseball home Marchán has ever known – they signed him as an international free agent when he was just 16 years old. He started in the Dominican Summer League and joined affiliated ball two years later.

Last summer was his first extended stay in Philly. With J.T. Realmuto sidelined for a few weeks, he split time with Garrett Stubbs, who – because of a remaining minor league option – is taking his place in Lehigh Valley. Marchán slashed an impressive .294/.345/.549 with seven extra-base hits in 17 games.

“I’ve been with this team for a while, and it makes me feel like I’m doing a good job to be part of this group,” Marchán said. “I put a lot of work in the offseason to be decent at this point.”

In addition to his potential at the plate, Marchán is expected to crouch behind it a bit more than Stubbs did over the past three seasons. With Realmuto’s health essential to the team’s success, the plan is for him to have a few more off days than in previous years. That could include J.T. DH-ing occasionally with Marchán catching.

On the flip side, Marchán still has something to prove this year: that he should be part of the Phillies’ future plans. Realmuto is a pending free agent but should be a top priority to re-sign. Stubbs is under team control for another year, while Raffy has all three years of arbitration to go… if they deem his injury history worth keeping.

It’s up to him to show them exactly that.