PHILADELPHIA — Brandon Marsh did something on Friday he had never done in his Phillies career: Hit a home run against a left-handed starting pitcher. His last home run against a southpaw starter came on July 16, 2022, just a couple of weeks before he was traded over from the Los Angeles Angels.
In five seasons with the Phillies, Marsh has less than 100 plate appearances against left-handed starters. He is getting more regular looks now against lefties out of necessity. The Phillies have yet to find a solid platoon partner for him, and at this point, he’s too good to keep on the bench no matter who the Phillies are facing.
They have been patiently waiting to see this version of Marsh. “To be honest with you, I’ve always seen it,” Kyle Schwarber said.
Brandon Marsh’s Performance in 2026
2026 is not a breakout year for Marsh. He has been a very good player since his arrival in Philadelphia. His .794 OPS since the trade is third among all Phillies players (minimum 1,500 plate appearances) behind Schwarber and Bryce Harper. His OPS is at .849 this year, indicating that he is simply reaching another level.
His flaws are well documented. From 2021 to 2024, only five qualified major league hitters struck out at a higher rate than Marsh. He has cut that rate this year down to 22.8% simply by swinging more. He has swung at 53% of all pitches he has seen, by far the highest percentage of his career, compared to just 41.3% in 2024.
Analysis of Marsh’s Growing Skills
Marsh is maximizing his contact abilities. This year, he is running a .411 batting average on balls in play. It’s also well documented that he is second behind Ty Cobb in MLB history in career BABIP (minimum 2,000 plate appearances), a stat usually associated with luck. However, the sample size is big enough to conclude there is more to it than that; Marsh can hit.
As of now, he leads the league in batting average at .332. If he keeps it up, he has a real chance at winning the National League batting title. Schwarber recognizes the potential, saying, “I know a lot of guys have seen it in him. There’s such a high ceiling.”
Implications for Brandon Marsh’s Career
This praise from Schwarber is significant, as both players have experienced similar career arcs. They were highly touted prospects who stagnated with their original teams. Marsh struggled in Anaheim, while Schwarber was let go by the Chicago Cubs after two difficult months during the COVID year.
Both players have shown resilience and potential in their careers. As Marsh continues to evolve as a player, his success will have significant implications not only for his career but also for the Philadelphia Phillies as a team.
