3 Phillies players most likely to have a breakout season in 2023

3) Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh is ready to have a breakout season

Brandon Marsh gave fans a taste of what he can be when he came over from the Los Angeles Angels last summer. In 138 trips to the plate, the young outfielder hit .288/.319/.455 with 3 home runs and 15 RBI. He gave the team a jolt. There are shades of Shane Victorino in the way he does a lot things. He is both reckless and aggressive.

The Phillies did give up quite a bit to acquire Marsh. At the cost of catching prospect Logan O’Hoppe, the Phillies are committed to making Marsh work.

There are definitely areas Marsh can improve upon. Assuring the team he is a satisfying enough defensive player in center field is one of them. Channeling his ability to draw walks at a high rate as he did in the minors is another.

Marsh’s career is still in its early phase. He played 163 games with the Angels prior to the trade and didn’t exactly win a permanent job with them. While we should have some doubts about his ability to hit versus left-handed pitchers, it’s one of those things he’ll need to simply do in order to improve upon.

We should find Marsh at the bottom of the lineup for the Phillies regularly this season. It can take some of the pressure off of him. If he excels, it might be almost like having a second leadoff hitter. Marsh is on the rise. The 2023 season could be one where he far exceeds projections.