Which Phillies are the most pivotal for a World Series return in 2023?

Brandon Marsh will have a chance to be Phillies' future at center field

There was initial shock when the Phillies traded catcher Logan O'Hoppe — their third-ranked prospect and a member of the MLB's top 100 prospects entering 2022 — for Los Angeles Angeles outfielder Brandon Marsh.

Marsh elevated his game in the short amount of time he spent in Philadelphia, however. Marsh saw his batting average rise from .226 to .288, his on-base percentage rise from .284 to .319, and his slugging percentage rise from .353 to .455 after he was dealt to the Phillies. After only hitting 36 extra-base hits in 583 plate appearances as an Angel, Marsh almost doubled this rate as a Phillie — hitting 14 extra-base hits in just 138 plate appearances.

It appears that Marsh found the perfect fit for himself in center field for the Phillies. It will be exciting to see how the 25-year-old performs with a whole offseason in Philadelphia — a luxury that manager Rob Thomson will also have. With Marsh not being eligible to hit free agency until after the 2027 season, the Phillies will have plenty of time to groom their potential center fielder of the future.

Marsh has eliminated any questions as to whether the Phillies should have dealt their insurance for J.T. Realmuto. Marsh has a chance to transform from a promising young talent to an everyday big-leaguer in 2023. Marsh, as well as the Phillies, have already given themselves the opportunity for success. All that remains is reaching out and grabbing it.