The Philadelphia Phillies have made a roster adjustment at the catcher position, sending Garrett Stubbs to the minor leagues while promoting Rafael Marchán as J.T. Realmuto’s backup for the 2025 MLB season. This decision signals a shift in the team’s depth chart as they prioritize defensive stability and roster flexibility.
Stubbs performed well offensively in Spring Training, posting a .286 batting average with a .423 on-base percentage and four RBIs. Marchán, meanwhile, had a slightly lower offensive output, hitting .250 with a .357 on-base percentage and three RBIs. Despite Stubbs’ stronger numbers at the plate, the Phillies opted for Marchán due to his defensive consistency.
Marchán recorded a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in Spring Training, compared to Stubbs’ .980 with one error. Given the importance of defensive reliability at the catcher position, this likely factored heavily into the Phillies’ final decision. Additionally, Marchán was out of minor league options, meaning the team would have risked losing him if he wasn’t kept on the major league roster.
Garrett Stubbs, Phillies
As a result, Stubbs will begin the 2025 season in Triple-A with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. However, with his experience and solid offensive abilities, there remains a strong possibility that he could return to the Phillies’ roster later in the season if injuries or performance issues arise.
This move highlights the Phillies’ commitment to maintaining roster depth while ensuring defensive strength behind the plate. With Marchán now set as Realmuto’s backup, the team hopes this decision will provide stability throughout the season while keeping Stubbs as a viable option in the minors.