Apr 3, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh (16) celebrates his three run home run during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Ron Chenoy
We may be at the point where it's time to accept what Brandon Marsh is — and as he showed in a 10-1 win over the Colorado Rockies Friday, there's plenty of value in that type of player.
Marsh has not developed into someone that can play every day. He's mostly a platoon player, with a .198 batting average and 35 strikeouts in 81 regular-season at-bats against lefties since the start of 2025. He was exposed last NLDS when, with Harrison Bader injured, Marsh not only had to face left-handed pitching, but he also shifted to center field. While the Phillies did once reach a World Series with Marsh splitting time in center field with Matt Vierling, Marsh doesn't take command the way you want from a player at that position.
For some of the cons we just listed — and you can throw in Marsh striking out more than you'd like — the evaluation needs to evolve on the 28-year-old. There are enough years of Marsh in red pinstripes to know that he has some limitations. But the Phillies can limit his exposure to those non-advantageous situations, which puts more focus on what he does well.
First and foremost, Marsh mashes right-handed pitching.
The latest evidence came in the form of a 454-foot home run off of Michael Lorenzen during a seven-run first inning for the Phillies in Friday's series opener at Coors Field:
Brandon Marsh hit this baseball 454 FEET😨
It’s the longest home run of his career! pic.twitter.com/ZQLRXTu4xi
A year ago, Marsh overcame a miserable start to hit .300 with nine home runs, 24 doubles and an .838 OPS in 337 plate appearances against right-handed pitchers. Obviously, you don't vote on All-Stars based on how they fare in certain platoon splits, but the version of Marsh the Phillies got a year ago against right-handed pitching is an All-Star level offensive performer.
Also, while Marsh has some shortcomings in center field, he has 19 defensive runs saved and nine outs above average in 1,791.2 career innings in left field, per FanGraphs. The Phillies have never asked him to play right field regularly, but if they ever did, there's no reason to think he couldn't handle that as well. His biggest issue in center field has been being the quarterback of the outfield. But when you take that responsibility away from Marsh and just let him play a corner spot, he seems to do very well.
Perhaps Marsh hasn't become a player that the Phillies build the team around, but too much of the focus has gone on what he doesn't do well. He's a really good strong-side platoon hitter that plays a strong left field. What he is should be appreciated.
