2. Bryce Harper
All the news surrounding Bryce Harper seems to be encouraging and pointing to a sooner-than-expected return to the field. Despite losing Rhys Hoskins, this Phillies lineup is still deep with Bryce Harper.
Once Harper returns, this team isn’t going to have any issues scoring consistently. Harper’s presence was obviously missed through the first games of the season and pointed to the fact this team is going to struggle for the first weeks of the season until Harper returns.
If, however, the Phillies can tread water for the first month or two of the season as they did in 2022, once healthy, it is a roster that proved they can make up ground quickly.
In an extended playoff field, the Phillies can survive another rough start to the season aiming to get healthy and hot at the right time. It is worth noting as well that Philly accomplished this without Harper being completely healthy, something that makes this team’s possible ceiling even higher in 2023.