Phillies Extra

Justin Crawford always wanted to do everything like his famous father, especially on the baseball field. And when the 22-year-old center fielder makes his major-league debut for the Phillies later this month, Carl Crawford will be there. A four-time All-Star and 15-year major leaguer, Carl Crawford sat down with "Phillies Extra" to talk about his son's formative years in baseball and the dream of seeing him follow in his footsteps.

For the second time in three years, Phillies catcher Garrett Stubbs is playing for Israel in the World Baseball Classic. He sat down with "Phillies Extra," live from Team Israel's camp in Miami, to discuss why it's important for him to represent his heritage in the tournament. Stubbs also touched on competing for a job with the Phillies, the new automated ball-strike system, and more.

Kyle Schwarber had the best season of his career in 2025, with 56 homers and a runner-up finish for National League MVP. What can he possibly do for an encore? Schwarber joins Phillies Extra to discuss his goals for the season, the Phillies' chances of getting over the hump in October, playing for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, and more.

A year ago, Brad Keller was trying to win a job with the Cubs as a nonroster invitee to spring training. Now, he's a key member of the Phillies' bullpen on a two-year contract. And in a few days, he will join the most talented U.S. team ever assembled for the World Baseball Classic. Keller sat down with "Phillies Extra," The Inquirer's baseball podcast, to discuss how much has changed in a year, what led him to Philadelphia, why he believes he can duplicate his success in 2025, and more.

J.T. Realmuto just started his eighth spring training with the Phillies. But for a week in January, he wasn’t sure he’d be back. Realmuto sits down with Phillies Extra, The Inquirer’s baseball podcast, to discuss his roller-coaster offseason contract talks, the release of Nick Castellanos, his outlook for the 2026 starting rotation, and more.

When the Phillies report to spring training Wednesday, it will have been 125 days since last season ended on Orion Kerkering's 11th-inning throwing error at Dodger Stadium. How does an athlete – even a major-league pitcher who is 24, with a gifted right arm and a long career ahead of him – move forward from something like that? Kerkering joined Phillies Extra to discuss the path back.

In 2024, Whit Merrifield was the newcomer to a Phillies' roster that was virtually unchanged from the previous season. Now, the retired former infielder joined Phillies Extra to discuss the team's decision to keep the core of the roster intact, as well as his close friend Brad Keller's path to the Phillies' bullpen and why Rob Thomson was his favorite manager.

In less than three weeks, Phillies pitchers and catchers will hold their first spring-training workout. It's a good time, then, to sit down with manager Rob Thomson, who discussed the roster in the aftermath of not signing Bo Bichette, the potential impact of rookies Justin Crawford and Andrew Painter, the value of J.T. Realmuto, and whether the Phillies are better now than at the end of last season.

Jesús Luzardo had the best season of his career last year with the Phillies. This is shaping up to be another important year for the 28-year-old pitcher, with free agency looming next winter. Luzardo sat down with Phillies Extra to discuss his interest in a contract extension, his relationship with catcher J.T. Realmuto, and what he can do for an encore after his breakout 2025.

The Phillies are preparing to turn over the keys to center field in 2026 to prospect Justin Crawford. After working with Crawford last season, triple-A Lehigh Valley hitting coach Adam Lind sits down with "Phillies Extra" to discuss the touted 22-year-old's readiness for the majors, as well as other prominent players in the Phillies organization.