Predicting Boom or Bust for All 25 Phillies Players Entering Opening Day

It has been a long spring for the Philadelphia Phillies thanks to the World Baseball Classic, and this club certainly has the look of a team that is ready for Opening Day. Then again, aren’t we all at this point? 

This season will be about trying to scratch and claw their way back to the top, with their ever elusive “window of opportunity” certainly looming as a threat. With players like Roy Halladay, Chase Utley and Carlos Ruiz entering the season on expiring contracts, this could realistically be do or die. 

Then again, this is a town that expects nothing short of the World Series from their Phillies. At that point, you have to wonder if this is a team capable of toppling young, talented clubs in their own division like the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves—let alone the rest of the league. 

The following slideshow will attempt to determine that. We’ll look at each member of the Phillies’ projected Opening Day roster and determine whether they will “boom” or “bust.” 

Players who receive the “boom” designation are guys set to have good seasons. Players labeled as “bust” will disappoint. While the reasoning and variables will change for each slide, the general idea remains the same. 

Will the Phillies boom or bust in 2013? 

Begin Slideshow