Brandon Marsh showed the Philadelphia Phillies who he can be during the 2025 season. After being with the organization for over three years, the club needs to accept that he is not a full-time player, made obvious by his ongoing struggles against left-handed pitching.
Marsh had a satisfactory year in his third full season with the Phillies. However, he endured his share of struggles for a second straight year in the playoffs, going 1-for-13 in four postseason contests, which he did the year before in October.
Brandon Marsh is better suited as a platoon outfielder after more struggles against left-handers
The Phillies decided to play Marsh as a full-time player at the beginning of the regular season. He didn't do well, as he didn't get a hit in 13 consecutive games in April and went 4-for-42 entering May. The Buford, Georgia, native did much better in the following months, slashing .303/.358/.478 after May 1, but his 43 RBIs were his fewest in a full season.
He also clearly does much better against right-handed pitching. Marsh had 33 RBIs, 24 doubles, and an .838 OPS with a .300/.356/.482 slash line against right-handers.
Marsh stays hot! pic.twitter.com/t0UhSLnJVw
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 13, 2025
On the contrary, against lefties he finished with 10 RBIs, a .577 OPS and a line of .197/.287/.289. His overall 25.9 percent strikeout rate was the lowest of his career, but against left-handed pitching he struck out 36.4 percent of the time in 76 at-bats. He posted a 23.1 percent strikeout rate in 303 at-bats versus righties.
Marsh's .164 ISO and 46.5 percent hard-hit rate were his lowest since 2022, while his 1.7 bWAR was significantly less than his 3.4 and 3.1 totals in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
At the beginning of the 2025 season, the Phillies believed he could be an everyday player, but based on his production against southpaws, the opposite is true. If Marsh isn't traded during the winter, the organization may acquire another right-handed-hitting outfielder to platoon with him.
There are some right-handed-batting outfielders available in free agency this winter. Following his decline of his $10 mutual option, Harrison Bader is now a free agent. However, the Phillies could sign the fan favorite to another contract. Some names include Miguel Andujar, Austin Hays, Starling Marte and Lane Thomas.
He can be a decent player in an outfield rotation over the course of a 162-game regular season schedule. However, Marsh has proven in the last two years that he is not an everyday option the Phillies can rely on for consistent production.
Changes are in store for the outfield with Nick Castellanos likely being released or traded and prospect Justin Crawford on track to debut next season. If Marsh isn't traded and remains with the Phillies for 2026, it's clear he should be in a platoon role.