Roy Halladay and the Make-or-Break Players for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2013

On the whole, it’s been overstated that the Philadelphia Phillies had a sub-par 2012 season. The team’s record of 81-81 at season’s end was due to a number of factors, whether injury or performance-based. Missing Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Roy Halladay for significant portions of the year certainly didn’t help the Phillies’ cause, and while trading players such as Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino netted the Phillies some help for the future, it did not aid their team now.

Individually, some players shined exponentially, while others fell further down the ladder, if not completely off. Some players who were relied upon in seasons past just didn’t bring to the table what they were able to offer before. Seeing players such as Doc Halladay struggle due to injury and diminished velocity was a disappointing sight to behold, whereas Carlos Ruiz’s breakout year was all the better to witness until plantar fasciitis derailed his season and Adderall did the same for the first 25 games of 2013.

As is always the case with players from one season to the next, players who have something to prove—whether for on the field or contractual value—are evaluated as having “make-or-break” years. For the Phillies, five players stand out above the rest. Whether it’s a last chance with the team for the future or proving that a season ago was not a fluke, a myriad of reasons contribute to why certain players enter these make-or-break seasons.

In the meantime, here are the five Philadelphia Phillies with a ton riding on an upcoming make-or-break season for 2013.

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