Slugging first baseman Rhys Hoskins had been the longest-tenured Philadelphia Phillies position player, before moving on Tuesday in free agency, reportedly agreeing to a two-year/$38 million deal with an opt-out available after the first season.
As the 2024 season nears, here’s an updated look at the five longest-tenured Phillies, both pitchers and position players. (Of note: While Scott Kingery remains in the Phillies organization, he’s not on the 40-man roster and didn’t play at the Major League level at all in 2023, so he was not considered for this list.)
No. 1: RHP Aaron Nola
Debut For Phillies: July 21, 2015 vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Selected by the Phillies with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, Nola made his Major League Debut in a 1-0 loss to the Rays on July 21, 2015. Nola was excellent in his first outing, limiting the Rays to five hits and one run over six innings. He, of course, returned to the Phillies on a seven-year/$172 million deal after briefly testing free agency this offseason. He’s now signed through the 2030 season.
No. 2: RHP Seranthony DomÃnguez
Debut For Phillies: May 7, 2018 vs. San Francisco Giants
This one is a little bit complicated because Tommy John surgery cost DomÃnguez the entirety of the 2020 season, along with large chunks of the 2019 and 2021 campaigns. But he made his Major League Debut for the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park against the San Francisco Giants on May 7, 2018, pitching a hitless inning in relief during an 11-0 win. DomÃnguez has recovered nicely from Tommy John surgery, appearing in 111 games for the Phillies over the last two regular seasons. 2024 is the final guaranteed year of DomÃnguez’s contract, but the Phillies have a very affordable $8 million club option on him for 2025.
No. 3: LHP Ranger Suárez
Debut For Phillies: July 26, 2018 vs. Cincinnati Reds
Visa issues and a bout with COVID-19 turned 2020 into a lost season for Suárez, a disappointing development after he had shown some impressive flashes the two prior seasons. But since 2021, Suarez has thrived both as a starter and out of the bullpen, posting a 3.18 ERA and 3.56 FIP in 90 regular season games for the Phillies. Over that three-season stretch, his 17 defensive runs saved are the second most among starting pitchers, trailing only his current teammate, Taijaun Walker. Suárez can become a free agent after the 2025 season, making him a possible extension candidate in the short term.
No. 4 (tie): Catcher J.T. Realmuto
Debut For Phillies: March 28, 2019 vs. Atlanta Braves
The Phillies acquired the All-Star catcher in a megadeal with the Miami Marlins on Feb. 7, 2019, sending then-top prospect Sixto Sánchez to the Fish as part of the return package. In five seasons with the Phillies since, Realmuto has won two Gold Glove Awards, a pair of Silver Sluggers and made multiple All-Star Game appearances. There’s a good chance when it’s all said and done that he’ll go down as the greatest catcher in franchise history. Realmuto tested free agency following the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but ultimately re-signed with the Phillies for five years and $115.5 million, a pact that will keep him in red pinstripes through at least the 2025 season.
No. 4 (tie): First Baseman Bryce Harper
Debut For Phillies: March 28, 2019 vs. Braves
After over 100 days as a free agent, Harper signed a 13-year/$330 million deal with the Phillies on Feb. 28, 2019. Like Realmuto, his Phillies debut came in an Opening Day drubbing of the division-rival Braves exactly a month later. Harper won the 2021 NL MVP, and then hit arguably the biggest home run in franchise history to essentially send the Phillies to the World Series in 2022. The 2022 NLCS MVP is tied with Jayson Werth and Kyle Schwarber for the franchise lead in career playoff home runs at 11, a category he seems certain to one day be in sole possession of. Harper is signed through the 2031 season, and both he and his agent Scott Boras have strongly hinted at a desire to extend the relationship beyond that year.
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