MLB

2025 Phillies Season Preview: A Historic Year, High Expectations, and a Bryce Harper Scare

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By
Colin Lynch
Author photo
Colin Lynch Sports Editor

Colin Lynch covers the NFL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the New England Patriots. His sports coverage has been featured on The Sports Daily and Basketball Insiders, as well as FanSided's Chowder & Champions. A New Hampshire native and former D1 baseball player at St. John's University, Colin was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008 and enjoyed a four-year professional baseball career.

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Published27 Feb 2025

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2025 Phillies Season Preview: A Historic Year, High Expectations, and a Bryce Harper Scare

The Philadelphia Phillies have spent much of their long history chasing greatness. In 2024, they came close—95 wins, the most in 13 years—but once again fell short of the ultimate prize. Their NL Division Series loss to the Mets extended a franchise history filled with October heartbreak, reminding everyone in Philadelphia just how difficult it is to reach the World Series, let alone win it.

The offseason that followed has been one of high expectations, big spending, and an even bigger sense of urgency. The Phillies enter 2025 with a payroll north of $279 million, the third-highest in baseball. Only the World Series champion Dodgers and the Mets, bolstered by the blockbuster signing of Juan Soto, will spend more.

This is a team built to win now. But before Opening Day has even arrived, Philadelphia nearly faced a nightmare scenario.

Bryce Harper Takes a Scary Hit in Spring Training

Wednesday afternoon in Florida. A routine spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Then, in an instant, the entire Phillies season flashed before their eyes.

Bryce Harper, the heart of Philadelphia’s lineup, stepped into the batter’s box and took a 92 mph fastball off the upper right arm, just above the elbow. The ball ricocheted toward his head, knocking his helmet off, sending a hush over the stadium.

Harper, a seven-time All-Star and former MVP, glared toward the Blue Jays’ dugout, visibly frustrated. “What are you doing?” he asked, directing his frustration toward pitcher Richard Lovelady, a 29-year-old journeyman left-hander.

The Phillies could ill afford to lose Harper, especially before the season even begins. After signing a 13-year, $330 million deal in 2019, he led the team to a World Series appearance in 2022 and has been the face of the franchise ever since. If Philadelphia is going to take the final step, Harper has to be at the center of it.

Fortunately, the news wasn’t as bad as it first appeared.

A Bullet Dodged: Harper Avoids Serious Injury

After the game, manager Rob Thomson provided the update everyone wanted to hear:

“Bruised triceps. We’re not overly concerned at all.”

No fractures. No ligament damage. Just a deep bruise that will require rest and treatment.

It’s unclear exactly how much time Harper will miss, but the Phillies are breathing a sigh of relief. Any extended absence for their star slugger would have been a significant setback, especially after a 2024 season in which he hit 31 home runs, drove in 102 RBIs, and posted a .914 OPS.

Still, the scare serves as a reminder of just how fragile a championship-caliber season can be.

Spring Training Injuries Pile Up for Philadelphia

Harper’s close call comes just days after another key loss for the Phillies. Utility man Weston Wilson, a player the team was counting on to fill a crucial bench role, was diagnosed with an oblique strain after taking a practice swing in the batting cage.

Wilson, who hit 31 homers in Triple-A last season, is now expected to miss at least six weeks.

“I spent a lot of time this offseason getting my body in the best shape possible,” Wilson told MLB.com. “Just a freak accident. I didn’t feel anything before, so, like, nothing warning me. Disappointment, I would say, is the biggest word. It sucks.”

These setbacks, while not catastrophic, underscore an important reality: The Phillies will need depth, resilience, and luck if they want to navigate the 162-game gauntlet ahead.

The Road Ahead: Phillies Look to Take the Next Step

After two straight years of playoff disappointment, Philadelphia’s mission is clear—win the National League, reach the World Series, and finish the job.

But the competition will be fierce.

  • The Mets spent big and added Juan Soto, making them an even greater threat in the NL East.
  • The Dodgers reloaded with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, solidifying themselves as baseball’s juggernaut.
  • The Braves remain a powerhouse, led by Ronald Acuña Jr. and a deep, relentless lineup.

For the Phillies, the formula is simple. Their lineup, anchored by Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and J.T. Realmuto, is one of the most potent in the league. Their rotation, featuring Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Ranger Suárez, has the frontline talent to compete with anyone.

But health, execution, and timing will determine their fate.

Wednesday’s scare with Harper was a warning shot—a reminder that even for the most talented teams, one pitch, one injury, one moment can change everything.

For now, the Phillies dodged disaster. But as spring training rolls on and Opening Day approaches, their championship chase is only just beginning.