3 Phillies players who’ll be better in 2023, and 2 who won’t

By Tim Boyle | Feb 5, 2023

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 03: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates scoring a run with teammate Brandon Marsh #16 during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros in Game Five of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 03, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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Brandon Marsh will struggle more as an everyday player in 2023. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Why Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh will have a worse season

Fans only got a few games with Brandon Marsh in 2023. Acquired from the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline, Marsh was fun and fantastic during his time with the Phillies. He went from a .226/.284/.353 hitter in Los Angeles to a .288/.319/.455 guy in Philly.

Expecting Marsh to keep up that pace over a full season is a large ask. Still only 204 games into his MLB career, he’s someone Phillies fans need to expect to struggle a bit more as an everyday player in 2023. There is no Matt Vierling to start when the team faces a lefty. Marsh will need to get through some growing pains as he becomes a more important part of the Phillies lineup this year and beyond.

Likely plugged into the ninth spot in the order regularly, Marsh will have some of the lowest expectations of any Phillies player on offense once Harper returns. The team can afford to see him take his time getting better. They have more than enough run producers at every other spot.

Before he can take a step forward, Marsh needs to take one or two back. This season will be one where the team gets a better idea of exactly what he can or cannot be for them. It will take a little bit of patience.

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