Despite being just 11 games into the season, the Philadelphia Phillies seem primed to make another run for the National League East crown. They currently sit in first place in the division, just a half game ahead of the New York Mets, and hold the third best record in the National League with an 8-3 mark.
Although the new season is still fresh, the Phillies appear to have finally fixed their Achilles heel, and if so, may reap the benefits from it come October.
The Phillies' improved plate approach and chase rate hasn't gone unnoticed by Dave Dombrowski
When the Phillies struck out 19 times on Opening Day, fans figured they were in for another season of the same old trick that has plagued the Phillies for three years now: swings and misses on pitches outside the strike zone.
But ever since that "shadow game," the Phillies transitioned from one of the league's worst to baseball's best at holding back on swinging at pitches outside of the zone. Their chase rate is just a mere 25 percent, which is five points lower than last year's percentage and first in MLB. As a result, they've struck out just 91 times, the seventh lowest in MLB while drawing 51 walks, which is tied for fifth best in the league.
"There has been significant strides made on not chasing pitches, not striking out as much, we are walking a lot," Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told Gregg Murphy on the Phillies pregame radio show, per John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia. "It's a very good sign and we did it in spring training. Hopefully we can continue to do that. We've put an emphasis on it. Our players have put an emphasis on it. If we swing at strikes, we will do damage.
Nick Castellanos is one of the most improved Phillies hitters this year
One main catalyst for this turnaround has been Nick Castellanos. Throughout his three years with the team, Castellanos has been susceptible to pitches outside the zone, especially in particular a down-and-away slider. It's reflected in the numbers, as the 33-year-old right fielder has led the Phillies' everyday starters in chase rate every year, with a 37+ percent rate each season.
In 2023, it was all the way up to 41 percent. But now? Castellanos is only chasing at 28.8 percent of pitches, which ranks third out of the everyday players. His 9.3 strikeout percentage is also the lowest out of all the regulars, and his walk rate is a career-high 9.3 percent, mirroring his strike out percentage.
The 2025 season may be the last ride for this Phillies core. If they want to make another push for the division, and more importantly, a World Series title, then the fatal flaw of the past can't rear its ugly head again.