© Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
5 Things That Must Happen for the Phillies in 2022
During Major League Baseball's offseason, it's easy to get so caught up in free agency, possible trade scenarios, or who your team should sign, that you forget about the current roster and what they need to improve in 2022.
Sure, adding players helps, but it won't solve all of the issues. There were an abundance of things that did not go the Phillies' way in 2021. So, what needs to go right for them in 2022? Let's take a look.
5. Rhys Hoskins stays healthy.
Rhys Hoskins has ended the past two seasons the same way: on the injured list. Always been known to be a streaky player offensively, at his worst, Hoskins can go 0-for-33 (as he did in June 2021) and practically be invisible, and at his best, can carry a team. Or there's 2020, where Hoskins looked lost for a majority of the shortened season. It wasn't until the end of Aug. 2020 when he began to turn it up a notch, but then went down with an injury that ended his season.
The same can be said about 2021. Hoskins' 1.210 second-half OPS, combined with Bryce Harper's MVP-caliber numbers, just might've been enough to get the Phillies to the postseason. But injury struck for Hoskins again, and he was shut down for the remainder of 2021. If Hoskins can stay healthy in 2022 and finish out the season strong, it would be huge for this Phillies team.
4. J.T. Realmuto produces more offensively.
J.T. Realmuto, dubbed the "best catcher in baseball" by his Philadelphia constituents, did not resemble that in 2021. Realmuto still looked fairly sharp defensively, and while it wasn't all bad offensively, the Phillies will need more production from him in 2022.
In 2021, Realmuto batted .263 with a .762 OPS in 537 plate appearances. Not bad by any stretch, but after signing a five-year, $115.5 million contract in Jan. 2021, Realmuto must be more up to par with his 2019 numbers.
In 2019, the catcher had 25 home runs, 83 RBI, and batted .275 with an .820 OPS. He also collected 265 total bases, 56 more than his 2021 total (209). He was also named an All-Star that season, won a Gold Glove (leading the league in caught stealing with 43), a Silver Slugger for the second season in a row, and even finished 14th in MVP voting. If Realmuto can look more like the "BCIB" in 2022, the Phillies' lineup should be primed for success.
3. Ranger Suárez continues to be an effective starter.
2021 was Ranger Suárez's breakout year. After transitioning from long reliever to closer to starter, he went 3-2 with a 1.51 ERA and struck out 65 batters across 65.2 IP in 12 starts. Suárez even hurled a "Maddux" on Sept. 25 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, in which he needed only 97 pitches to propel the Phillies to a 3-0 win.
When you combine his stats as both a reliever and starter, Suárez's season becomes even more impressive. He finished 2021 with a 1.36 ERA, the lowest by an MLB pitcher with 100+ innings since Bruce Sutter in 1977, and the lowest in MLB history by a pitcher with at least 10 games started and 20 games in relief.
In 2022, the Phillies will continue to ride Suárez and bet on his success. While he may not replicate his 2021 numbers, Philadelphia should still be in great shape with the 26-year-old southpaw in their rotation.
2. Alec Bohm looks more like his 2020 self.
Alec Bohm's 2021 was a disappointment to say the least, highlighted by a demotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Aug. 22. After impressing during his major league debut in 2020, that obviously was not how things were supposed to go for Bohm in 2021. Aside from a few flashes here and there, Bohm didn't make up for his glaring defensive woes much with his bat.
Bohm is aware of his struggles, and that is why he's been working hard at getting better both offensively and defensively. Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies organization have emphasized that it is too early to give up on the 25-year-old and they want him as their Opening Day third baseman. Right now, Bohm is projected to hit 10 homers, drive in 54, and bat .265/.329/.387 in 2022, and getting him back to being a threat in the lineup as he was in 2020 would be massive for the Phillies.
1. Aaron Nola bounces back.
Perhaps the most discouraging individual player performance for the Phillies in 2021 was that of Aaron Nola. He finished the season with a 4.63 ERA, the highest since his sophomore season in 2016. Despite Nola's shortcomings, there is no reason why he can't bounce back in 2022.
While there have been rumors of a possible Nola trade, that would not be a smart move for Philadelphia. He's signed thru 2022 on a four-year, $45 million deal with a 2023 team option, and that's an incredible bargain considering the rate of starting pitching on the open market.
There is no guarantee, but Nola is likely to have a comeback year in 2022. We've seen what he's capable of during the course of his career, pitching to the likes of a 3.68 ERA, 24.3 WAR, 1.158 WHIP, 1,145 strikeouts in 1023.1 IP, and an All-Star Game selection in 2018. And the Phillies are confident that the 28-year-old will regain his command, maintain consistency, and be a force at the top of their rotation again in 2022.
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