For much of the 2025 season, the Philadelphia Phillies have kept their roster largely intact, despite some players underperforming. Until recently, the team only made changes in response to injuries or personal issues. But with their postseason hopes in mind, the Phillies have started taking action first designating José Ruiz for assignment on June 1, and then parting ways with Carlos Hernández just over a week later due to continued struggles on the mound.
Now, with the team focused on fielding the strongest possible lineup, two more players could soon be on the way out:
Rafael Marchán, C
After winning the backup catcher job from fan favorite Garrett Stubbs in spring training, former top prospect Rafael Marchán seemed poised to make an impact. Many hoped his bat would be an upgrade over Stubbs. But Marchán hasn’t seized the opportunity, struggling badly in limited action. Over 17 games, he’s hitting just .146 with a .530 OPS, tallying only four runs, two extra-base hits (one homer), and five RBIs.
Meanwhile, Stubbs has put up solid numbers in Triple-A, hitting .267 with a .765 OPS, 27 runs, six doubles, four homers, and 29 RBIs in 39 games. With the NL playoff race heating up, the Phillies might not be able to wait for Marchán to figure things out, and bringing Stubbs back could help ease the workload on J.T. Realmuto.
Weston Wilson, UTL
After breaking out as a valuable bench piece late last season, Weston Wilson looked like a key contributor for 2025. But following an oblique injury that sidelined him to start the year, Wilson hasn’t been the same. He’s struggled at the plate, slashing just .171/.293/.257 with three runs, one homer, and four RBIs in 19 games, mostly in left field.
In contrast, top prospect Otto Kemp has shown promise in his short time in the majors, hitting .250 with a .600 OPS and already seeing more playing time than Wilson or Edmundo Sosa. Given Wilson’s struggles, the Phillies might send him to the minors to get back on track, while Kemp continues to fill in at the big-league level.
