Phillies’ Backup Catcher Battle Heats Up as Garrett Stubbs Fights for His Future
The competition for the Philadelphia Phillies’ backup catcher role is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing storylines of spring training. With J.T. Realmuto still firmly holding his place as one of MLB’s elite catchers, the battle between Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchán is gaining momentum.
Realmuto’s Durability Raises Backup Catcher Stakes
Realmuto has been the Phillies’ iron man behind the plate, but as he enters a contract year in 2025, his workload could see a shift. After missing over a month with a knee injury in 2024, he played in just 99 games the fewest of his career outside the shortened 2020 season and his brief 2014 debut.
To manage his workload, the Phillies plan to experiment with him in left field, a role he may share with occasional stints at first base. That makes securing a reliable backup catcher more critical than ever for a team with championship aspirations.
Garrett Stubbs Fires Back at Doubts Over His Role
Despite speculation that Stubbs is destined to start the season in Triple-A as the IronPigs’ primary catcher, he’s not ready to accept that fate. Marchán, who is out of minor league options, appears to be the frontrunner for the backup role, but Stubbs is making his case loud and clear.
“I’ve helped this team win, and I plan on doing that for a long time here,” Stubbs told The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber, signaling his determination to remain part of the Phillies’ roster.
A fan favorite since joining the team in 2022, Stubbs has won over Philadelphia with his energy and personality rather than his bat. He showed promise in 2022, hitting .264 with 10 extra-base hits in 106 at-bats, but his offensive production has dipped since. He posted a .204 average with a .557 OPS in 2023 and a .207 average with a .558 OPS in 2024.
Stubbs signed a one-year, $925,000 deal this offseason and remains under team control through 2026, but his future in Philadelphia is anything but secure.
The Phillies’ Search for a Reliable Backup
With the Phillies eyeing a deep postseason run, they need a dependable catcher behind Realmuto. Marchán, a career .279 hitter in the majors, stepped up during Realmuto’s absence last season, slashing .294/.345/.549 with a .894 OPS in 17 games. Many questioned the Phillies’ decision to send him back to Triple-A when Realmuto returned, but they wanted him to continue playing regularly.
The biggest concern with Marchán is his durability his injury history has slowed his development and kept him from locking down a permanent role.
Adding another layer to the Phillies’ catching depth is rising prospect Eduardo Tait. Ranked No. 93 by Baseball America, the 18-year-old has flashed elite potential with a career slash line of .313/.371/.497 in the minors. His defensive skills still need refinement, but with time, he is projected to be the Phillies’ long-term answer behind the plate.
For Stubbs, the challenge is clear if he wants to secure his spot in Philadelphia, he’ll have to prove he belongs. With Marchán gaining momentum and Tait waiting in the wings, the Phillies’ catching future is evolving fast, and Stubbs is fighting to remain part of it.
