Philadelphia Phillies manager ‘not going to commit’ to making 27-year-old player full-time starter

The Philadelphia Phillies are beginning spring training with high expectations after three straight disappointing postseason exits.

In 2022, the Phillies were a feel-good story, making the playoffs in the final week of the regular season and reaching the World Series before falling to the Houston Astros in six games.

In 2023, as favorites to win it all, they led the NLCS 2-0 and 3-2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks before losing at home in seven games, as the offense mustered just three runs total in Games 6 and 7.

In 2024, after earning a first-round bye, they faced NL East rival New York Mets in the NLDS. Their offense disappeared again, leading to their ouster in four games.

Now, the Phillies return with largely the same core, adding only outfielder Max Kepler, who hit eight home runs last season for the Minnesota Twins. Kepler will play left field, moving Brandon Marsh back to center.

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Philadelphia Phillies manager not ready to ‘commit’ to Brandon Marsh

The Phillies acquired Marsh, 27, from the Los Angeles Angels for catcher Logan O’Hoppe at the 2022 trade deadline, envisioning him as their everyday center fielder. That plan has yet to materialize.

The primary issue? Marsh’s significant struggles against left-handed pitching.

In 90 plate appearances against lefties last season, Marsh hit just .192 with one home run and a .552 OPS, managing only 15 hits and seven walks while striking out 33 times. Over four MLB seasons with the Angels and Phillies, he’s hitting .216 with six home runs in 386 plate appearances against southpaws.

Manager Rob Thomson told The Athletic’s Matt Gelb that while Marsh will face plenty of left-handed pitching in spring training, his regular-season role remains uncertain.

“I mean, I’m not going to commit to anything right now,” said Thomson.

Thomson emphasized his desire to see Marsh use the opposite field against lefties.

“Using the other field,” Thomson told Gelb. “Staying on the ball. Thinking low to left field. It helps him with all off-speed pitches, really, whether it’s right-handed or left-handed. But especially with left-handed pitching. So if he stays with that, he’s got a chance to have some success.”

If Marsh continues to struggle against lefties, he will platoon in center with light-hitting Johan Rojas.

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