Brandon Marsh’s role with the Philadelphia Phillies this season is a bit more nuanced. While he is expected to be the primary center fielder, he’ll likely be part of a platoon, particularly when facing left-handed pitchers.¹ ² ³
Marsh has struggled against lefties, with a career slash line of .216/.276/.305 against southpaws. As a result, he’ll often give way to players like Johan Rojas or Whit Merrifield when a left-handed starter is on the mound.
Manager Rob Thomson has indicated that Marsh will see some action against lefties, but it won’t be an everyday occurrence. Instead, the Phillies will look to optimize their lineup by playing the matchups. Marsh will still get plenty of opportunities to contribute, especially against right-handed pitchers, where he’s been more effective.
