5 bold Phillies predictions for the 2023 MLB season
By Tim Boyle
Bold Phillies prediction: Brandon Marsh is in a platoon post-trade deadline
On a team with a lot of fun players, nobody may be more so than center fielder Brandon Marsh. Acquired at last year’s trade deadline from the Los Angeles Angels, the left-handed hitting outfielder raised his offensive numbers and quickly became a fan favorite in Philly.
Marsh did, however, share center field duties often with Matt Vierling. This won’t be an option any longer. Vierling went to the Detroit Tigers in the Gregory Soto deal. Unless the Phillies have something planned, it seems he’ll have the position all to himself.
It won’t last for the full year. At the trade deadline, the Phillies will add a player to platoon with him in center field. It’s Kansas City Royals outfielder Michael A. Taylor who will come to Philadelphia and start games against left-handed pitchers and provide the team with more defense.
Marsh will eventually need to learn how to hit lefties to remain a big-league starter. With much more on the line in 2023, the Phillies shouldn’t have as much patience for any growing pains.
Lifetime, he’s a .220/.253/.266 hitter against southpaws. It’s a small sample size of only 186 plate appearances. This is more than enough to predict the team should already be on the hunt for a platoon partner to pair with him. Taylor is the affordable and reasonable option to go out and get.