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Can the Phillies slug their way to a division title in 2022?

The division is one of the most competitive in the majors. The Mets will be possibly the biggest threat to the Phillies with the acquisition of Max Scherzer and still a dominant Jacob deGrom, if he can stay healthy.

Braves take a huge loss with letting the 2020 NL MVP Freddie Freeman walk. Although according to Fangraphs, are still projected to win the division at 90-72, followed by the Mets (88-74) and then the Phillies (83-79).

Regardless of a third-place projection, there is significant hope and reason to believe that the division crown is well up for grabs.

The new acquisitions of both Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos have been paying huge dividends already in a lineup that was begging to have more firepower.

Spring training was a constant highlight reel of the Phillies flexing their muscles with 32 homeruns as a team which was good for fifth, with Bryce Harper leading all of spring training with 8. Now, yes, it’s only spring training, and yes, it’s not for certain this will come as easy all season long. But it gives us Phillies fans something to be giddy about come Friday afternoon.

However, if the team expects to hit its way to October like it appears to, it’ll still need some help from some of the pitching staff and additional cavalry in the lineup.

Aaron Nola struggled mightily in 2021 with a 4.63 era. Zack Wheeler took over the ace role last year with a cool 2.78 era and finished second for the NL Cy Young award behind Brewers’ Corbin Burnes. A bounce back Nola would provide relief and give the rotation a solid chance to give the rest of the league issues.

Bryson Stott, the 14th pick of the 2019 draft, was informed on Tuesday that he will make the Opening Day roster for the 2022 regular season and is looking to possibly fill a spot at the third base position given Alec Bohm’s struggles. Stott tore it up down in Clearwater finishing .406/ .513/ .563. Stott has proven to be a very versatile player in the infield so you could see the number 2 Phillies prospect filling in wherever needed to get him into the lineup which Joe Girardi mentioned shouldn’t be an issue. Stott gives the Phillies more flexibility with the DH in effect and a breath of fresh air on the defensive side of the diamond.