Luke Arcaini

26-Man Roster Prediction: Volume 1 The Phillies have most of their roster spots set, and that's a good thing. But there are still a couple spots up for grabs, and multiple guys have a chance to crack the roster on March 26th.

There are five, maybe six pitchers that could take the last spot in the Phillies bullpen. Who gets it?

A 26-man roster prediction over on Substack:

arcainiluke.substack.com/p/26-man-ros...

Phillies Reportedly Agree to Five-Year Extension With Jesus Luzardo Jesus Luzardo and the Phillies agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $135M, according to multiple reports: Luzardo is set to make $11M in arbitration this year and was set to hit the free age...

Jesus Luzardo had never pitched more than 180 innings in a season throughout his six year career. Then, he came to Philadelphia.

He’s earned every bit of this extension after an up-and-down start to his career. On the move, what it means, and more:

www.crossingbroad.com/news/phillie...

Inside the 40: Aaron Nola Aaron Nola might be the biggest X-factor of the entire Phillies roster heading into 2026. His season is already off to a promising start.

Aaron Nola is the biggest X-factor heading into the 2026 season. So far, he's looked ready and prepared for the comeback.

2025 was an outlier. Early signs, trends, and some thoughts on the veteran in my newest on Substack:

arcainiluke.substack.com/p/inside-the...

Inside the 40: Jonathan Bowlan What felt like a salary dump might end up being more than that.

Jonathan Bowlan had a 43.5 whiff% on his four-seamer in 2025. That's a ridiculous number, especially when you put it up against some of the best in the game.

This was never a salary dump. The Phillies have something here.

Newest “Inside the 40” on Substack: arcainiluke.substack.com/p/inside-the...

Andrew Painter Shines in 2026 Spring Training Debut Andrew Painter pitched in a Grapefruit League game on Sunday for the first time in exactly three years, and it was an encouraging outing.

First-pitch strikes, fastball command, and an encouraging return of an important mechanic.

Andrew Painter made his return to Grapefruit League action today. I broke it all down:

www.crossingbroad.com/news/phillie...

Inside the 40: Andrew Painter It's time for Andrew Painter to remind everybody who he is.

It’s been exactly three years since Andrew Painter made his last spring training start.

It’s time for Painter to remind everybody who he really is, especially the people that foolishly gave up on him already.

From a couple weeks back on Substack:

arcainiluke.substack.com/p/inside-the...

Inside the 40: Bryson Stott Bryson Stott is entering his 5th year with the Phillies at 2nd base. Is this finally the year he reaches consistent success at the plate?

Bryson Stott just went yard.

Stott made a swing change last year. It started to look Schwarber-ish. He saw success late in the summer, and is looking to carry that into 2026.

From a couple weeks back on Substack:

arcainiluke.substack.com/p/inside-the...

Early Phillies Overreactions Podcast Episode · Phillies Report · February 25 · 26m

A new episode of Phillies Report is live!

- Justin Crawford’s start
- Otto Kemp’s outlook
- Early spring overreactions

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...

Inside the 40: Kyle Backhus Don't overreact after one spring training outing. Don't overreact after one spring training outing. Don't overreact after one spring training outing.

Kyle Backhus got up to 93.6 mph today while facing the minimum, only allowing a jammed-up single, followed by a great pitch into a GIDP.

He’s impressed early and has a good shot to make this bullpen. Some thoughts from yesterday on Substack:

arcainiluke.substack.com/p/inside-the...

Inside the 40: Kyle Backhus Don't overreact after one spring training outing. Don't overreact after one spring training outing. Don't overreact after one spring training outing.

Inside the 40: Kyle Backhus

Don't overreact to one outing. Don't overreact to one outing. Don't overreact to one outing.

I may or may not have overreacted to one outing. Newest from me over on Substack!

open.substack.com/pub/arcainil...

Thoughts and Answers After Two Phillies Spring Training Games The 2026 season is underway, sort of. The Phillies played two Grapefruit League games this past weekend and are 0-2.

It’s only been two games, but I have some thoughts on the Phils. Plus, I answered some of your questions.

- Justin Crawford’s start
- Adolis Garcia’s approach
- The bullpen

www.crossingbroad.com/news/phillie...

Inside the 40: Jhoan Duran When is the last time the Phillies started a season with an elite closer?

Inside the 40: Jhoan Duran

Phillies fans should be excited to finally get a full season of an elite closer. On Duran's impact in 2025, what makes him so important, and more.

Read/subscribe on Substack: arcainiluke.substack.com/p/inside-the...

Inside the 40: Andrew Painter It's time for Andrew Painter to remind everybody who he is.

Inside the 40: Andrew Painter

It's time for the Painter to remind everybody who he is, especially the people that already gave up on him.

Newest from me over on Substack: arcainiluke.substack.com/p/inside-the...

Nick Castellanos: The good, the bad, the ugly, and the beer Nick Castellanos has been released. How will his time in Philadelphia be remembered, and how does it deserve to be remembered?

The good, the bad, the ugly, and the beer.

Nick Castellanos' time in Philadelphia is over. How will Castellanos be remembered, and how does his tenure deserved to be remembered?

All of my thoughts over on Substack, free for you to read:

arcainiluke.substack.com/p/nick-caste...

Nick Castellanos brought a beer into the dugout in Miami, but he did not drink any.

He shared a long thank you to Philadelphia, along with details on that night, on his Instagram.

Phillies Mailbag: Jesus Luzardo Extension, Starting Pitching Depth, Bullpen Predictions Pitchers and catchers are underway. The bat hitting the ball, the pop of the mitts, the cleats on the sidewalk. We are back.

- Jesus Luzardo extension?
- Starting pitching depth
- Bryce Harper's revenge season

My first Phillies mailbag of the 2026 "season" is here. Thanks for all of your questions!

www.crossingbroad.com/news/phillie...

Inside the 40: Bryce Harper Bryce Harper is entering his 8th season with the Phillies. Do we see MV3 back in 2026? Diving into some things that went wrong in 2025, and the process of getting back to his elite ways in 2026.

Inside the 40: Bryce Harper

Do the Phillies get the MV3 version of Bryce Harper back in 2026? If they do, they'll have a good chance to make a deep run.

Read/subscribe on Substack: arcainiluke.substack.com/p/inside-the...

I'll be on the Phantastic Sports Show on FOX29 Philly on Thursday at 6:30 PM to talk all things Phillies.

Pitchers and catchers are underway. We've got a lot to talk about. Tune in!

Inside the 40: Jesús Luzardo Jesús Luzardo had a head-turning first season with the Phillies in 2025. Should the team prioritize an extension with the lefty before Opening Day?

Inside the 40: Jesús Luzardo

Should the Phillies prioritize an extension with the lefty before Opening Day? Some thoughts, Luzardo's 2025 success, and what he'll need to continue into 2026.

Read/subscribe here on Substack: arcainiluke.substack.com/p/inside-the...

Inside the 40: Orion Kerkering After a nightmare finish that every athlete dreads, Orion Kerkering is looking to put "the throw" behind him and look to 2026.

Inside the 40: Orion Kerkering

How does one bounce back from a moment that every athlete dreads? By putting their head down and going to work. Kerkering has already started doing that.

Read/subscibe now on Substack: arcainiluke.substack.com/p/inside-the...

Inside the 40: Alec Bohm For the second year in a row, Alec Bohm will return to the Phillies after a full offseason of trade rumors.

Inside the 40: Alec Bohm

For the second year in a row, Alec Bohm will return to the Phillies after an offseason of trade speculation.

My thoughts on Bohm in my newest on Substack! You can read and subscribe here: arcainiluke.substack.com/p/inside-the...

Inside the 40: Bryson Stott Bryson Stott is entering his 5th year with the Phillies at 2nd base. Is this finally the year he reaches consistent success at the plate?

Inside the 40: Bryson Stott

Is this finally the year that Bryson Stott finds consistent success at the plate?

Been really enjoying Substack so far. You don't need a subscription to read right now. Give it a shot today!

Read/subscribe here: arcainiluke.substack.com/p/inside-the...

Inside the 40: Brad Keller Brad Keller was the biggest addition to the Phillies bullpen, and maybe the biggest addition to the entire roster this offseason.

Inside the 40: Brad Keller

- The sweeper that changed his 2025
- Early-career struggles
- Where will Keller slot?

My first official article on Substack is live. If you wish to subscribe, it would mean the world!

arcainiluke.substack.com/p/inside-the...

Inside the 40: 2026 Outlook for Every Player on the Phillies 40-Man Roster Luke Arcaini dives into the Phillies 40-man roster, detailing outlooks for each individual player and what to expect in the 2026 season.

Inside the 40: I'm starting a new series over on Substack!

I'll be discussing every player on the Phillies 40-man roster over the next two months.

If you're interested, you can subscribe here: arcainiluke.substack.com/p/inside-the...

I'm Excited for the Young Phillies, and You Should Be Too For one of the first times in a really long time, the Phillies will have an influx of youth flying through the pros this season.

The Phillies haven't had a youth movement on the horizon in a really, really long time.

That's the reason to be excited about this team. I wrote about Aidan Miller, Andrew Painter, Justin Crawford, and why you should be excited about each of them.

www.crossingbroad.com/news/phillie...

The Debut of Phillies Report Podcast Episode · Phillies Report · 01/29/2026 · 36m

The debut of Phillies Report!

- Are fans overrating Harrison Bader?
- Why I’m excited about the Phillies youth
- One more move the Phillies need to make

Thanks to everyone who hung out in the stream. You can listen wherever you get your podcasts!

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...

Same voice, new name.

Introducing “Phillies Report,” coming at you multiple times per week talking all things Phillies, and whatever else YOU want to talk about!

Interactive live streams, Q&As, special guests, and so much more. Really, really excited for this📈

Dave Dombrowski Likes the Club...Should You?

BRAND NEW episode of the pod is live!

- Dombrowski/JT comments
- Thoughts on Thomson’s quote
- Otto Kemp’s 2026 outlook
- Favorite song on Zach Bryan’s new album

We talked about it all tonight. Give it a listen!

open.spotify.com/episode/3r4y...

12 Key Notes and Quotes from a Busy Phillies Day J.T. Realmuto, Dave Dombrowski, Preston Mattingly, and Rob Thomson spoke to the Phillies media on Tuesday morning.

A lot went on today in the Phillies world. I tried to throw it all in one story:

- Dombrowski on Bichette
- Realmuto speaks on return
- Sanchez speaks on WBC
- Tanner Banks speaks on bigger role
- Otto Kemp’s mindset heading into ‘26

Read:

www.crossingbroad.com/news/phillie...

I’ll be on 97.5 The Fanatic Saturday morning at 11 AM. Tune in!