Photo: John Cordes/Icon Sportwire

Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good? To see the full series, click here.

2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: 18th

Team Strengths

Bryson Stott was one of the better-performing defensive second baseman in the National League last season, as only Brice Turang, Ketel Marte, and Otto Lopez totaled more than his 7 Runs Saved. He could stand to be a lot more effective at turning double plays but he’s still a solid defender.

Dare we say it but Bryce Harper was pretty good in his first year as a full-time first baseman last season. He finished with 5 Runs Saved and didn’t look out of place at all. He was a deserving Gold Glove finalist.

Johan Rojas will primarily be a late-game replacement and an outfield with Rojas in center field, Brandon Marsh in left field, and Max Kepler in right field at the end of games will be a tough one to hit the ball past. Marsh, who will probably start games in his weaker position, center field,  had 7 Runs Saved in left field last season. After a slow start in 2024, Rojas had 4 Runs Saved in center field (and 14 in 2023). Kepler, who will start games in left field, has never finished a season with negative Runs Saved in right field.

The Phillies have a group of very good fielding pitchers, particularly Ranger Suárez (MLB-best 22 Runs Saved in the last four seasons, though currently injured) and Zack Wheeler (14 Runs Saved in that same span, which ranks T-4th)

Team Weaknesses

The Phillies have two distinct and significant weaknesses:

Nick Castellanos has had at best -9 Runs Saved in right field in each of the last four seasons and his -40 Runs Saved in that span is easily worst at the position.

Trea Turner has had a rough go of it at shortstop the last two seasons, tallying -10 and -14 Runs Saved, respectively. His -24 Runs Saved in that time is worst among shortstops.

Other Things To Know

We didn’t list J.T. Realmuto as a strength or weakness. But the last two years, Realmuto has not provided the defensive value he did in 2022, when he threw out 42% of basestealers and saved 11 Runs. He’s thrown out 17% and 19% the last two years and hasn’t done well in either season in our pitch framing stats. 

We’re also not listing Alec Bohm in the weakness column, which we would have done in past years. Bohm had his best defensive season in 2024, finishing with 0 Runs Saved at third base.

Alec Bohm Defensive Runs Saved At 3rd Base

Are The Phillies A Good Defensive Team?

Good, relative to some of the Phillies teams of the recent past? Yes. Good compared to the rest of the major leagues? They’re not a first-tier team. On their best day, they might be at the edge of the second tier, but they’re more likely what average looks like.