dailyloe.com – The Philadelphia Phillies are currently tied for the worst record in baseball at 9-19. Their offensive performance has significantly declined compared to recent seasons, raising questions about potential changes within the team. However, it seems unlikely that hitting coach Kevin Long will be one of those changes.
Kevin Long has been with the Phillies since 2022 and signed a three-year contract during the offseason. According to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, Long was a sought-after coaching free agent, attracting interest from rival clubs.
Manager Rob Thomson praised Long after the Phillies’ 6-2 loss to the Braves, where the team managed only two hits. “Kevin’s one of the best in the game,” Thomson stated, noting that several Hall of Famers would agree.
Since Long took on the hitting coach role, the Phillies have consistently ranked as a top-ten scoring team. However, this season, they are struggling, currently sitting 28th in runs with 102, ahead of only the Giants and Mets.
The team’s batting average is .219, with an on-base percentage of .294 and a slugging percentage of .362. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper are the only reliable hitters this season, while Brandon Marsh and Edmundo Sosa have OPS figures over .700.
Other key players are experiencing significant struggles. Trea Turner has a batting average of .230 and a .658 OPS, while Bryson Stott has a .541 OPS. Alec Bohm ranks 180th among qualified hitters with a .412 OPS, the lowest in the league.
The Phillies are currently pacing for a 52-win season and are in a serious slump. If this trend continues for another week or two, it could prompt major changes within the organization. However, Kevin Long’s high reputation within the Phillies and the broader baseball community suggests he is unlikely to be fired.
