Phillies' J.T. Realmuto in Mix for Cleanup Spot

Veteran catcher could see increased fantasy value if he bats fourth in Philly's lineup.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Phillies manager Rob Thomson is considering veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto as an option to bat cleanup for the team in the 2026 season. While Alec Bohm is the current favorite for the role, Realmuto is also in contention along with outfielder Adolis Garcia. Realmuto is entering his age-35 campaign and has seen his offensive production decline in recent seasons, but the possibility of hitting fourth in Philadelphia's lineup could provide him with some late-round fantasy upside as a catcher.

Why it matters

Realmuto's potential move to the cleanup spot in the Phillies' lineup would be a significant boost to his fantasy value, as the cleanup hitter typically sees more RBI opportunities. However, Realmuto's declining offensive numbers in recent years raise questions about whether he can still be an elite fantasy catcher at this stage of his career.

The details

According to reports, Phillies manager Rob Thomson is considering using veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto in the cleanup spot in the team's 2026 lineup. Realmuto would be competing for the role with third baseman Alec Bohm, who is currently the favorite, and outfielder Adolis Garcia. Realmuto is entering his age-35 season and has seen his OPS drop in each of the past four years, raising concerns about his offensive production going forward.

  • Realmuto is entering his age-35 campaign in 2026.

The players

J.T. Realmuto

A veteran catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies who is being considered for the cleanup spot in the team's 2026 lineup.

Alec Bohm

The Phillies' third baseman who is currently the favorite to bat cleanup in 2026.

Adolis Garcia

An outfielder for the Phillies who is also in contention for the cleanup spot in 2026.

Rob Thomson

The manager of the Philadelphia Phillies who is evaluating the team's options for the cleanup spot in the 2026 lineup.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Realmuto is an option to bat cleanup in 2026”

— Rob Thomson, Phillies Manager (MLB.com)

The takeaway

Realmuto's potential move to the cleanup spot in the Phillies' lineup could provide a boost to his fantasy value, but his recent offensive decline raises questions about whether he can still be an elite fantasy catcher at this stage of his career.