The Philadelphia Phillies outfield platoon has come back at all three positions even if the club does not want to formally call it that. Brandon Marsh, Justin Crawford and Gabriel Rincones Jr. have been starting against right-handed pitchers. Meanwhile in recent games Edmundo Sosa, Derek Hill and Bryan De La Cruz have been starting against left-handed pitchers. De La Cruz was called up by the Phillies on July 21. Since being promoted De La Cruz has a .714/.750/1.143 line with one home run and one RBI in three games entering play on July 27. De La Cruz also has a 411 wRC+ and a 1.000 BABIP entering play on July 27.
The Phillies had already been running a platoon in right field after Adolis García went on the 60-day injured list with a season ending injury. Rincones and Hill had been platooning in right field before De La Cruz was called up. Hill has since shifted over to platooning with Crawford in center field. Crawford has had an up and down season with a .255/.304/.340 line with two home runs and 22 RBI in 96 games entering play on July 27. To add Crawford has a 77 wRC+ and a .320 BABIP this year. Crawford has a .512 OPS and a 48 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers with a .670 OPS and a 83 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers.
Phillies Outfield Platoon Is Back As Trade Deadline Nears
Main Reason For Left Field Platoon Returning
After being named an All-Star starter Brandon Marsh has had a rough July. Marsh had a .317/.348/.520 line with 14 home runs and 45 RBI in 81 games through June 30. In addition to that Marsh recorded a 133 wRC+ and a .395 BABIP in that span. However, from July 1 through July 26, Marsh has a .159/.247/.246 line with two home runs and two RBI in 19 games. Marsh has a 30 wRC+ and a .200 BABIP in that span. While Marsh has improved this season his struggles have led Mattingly to resume the Phillies outfield platoon with Marsh and Sosa in left field. This continues the Phillies outfield test with Sosa.
Recent Changes To General Outfield Depth
The Phillies made a minor trade with the Kansas City Royals to acquire Kameron Misner for cash considerations. Misner is a left-handed hitting outfielder who is now on the Phillies 40-man roster. The team designated Steward Berroa for assignment to make room for Misner on the 40-man roster. Misner has a .206/.259/.312 line with five home runs and 26 RBI in 97 career major league games. Furthermore Misner has a career 58 wRC+ and a .305 BABIP in the majors. Similar to the Phillies other left-handed hitting outfielders Misner is more effective against right-handed pitchers than left-handed pitchers.
Potential Trade Deadline Upgrade In The Outfield
The Phillies outfield platoon is likely to change again after the August 3 trade deadline. Ideally the team will acquire a right-handed outfield bat to solidify a corner outfield spot. If the Baltimore Orioles are willing to move Taylor Ward the Phillies should make a deal. Ward has a .300 BABIP or better and a 100 wRC+ or better against both left-handed pitchers and right-handed pitchers this season. This season Ward has a .253/.386/.357 line with seven home runs and 27 RBI in 105 games entering play on July 27. Ward has a 120 wRC+ and a .317 BABIP this year. In this scenario Ward would become the everyday left fielder.
What The Phillies Should Not Do With Their Outfield
There have been some suggestions by Phillies fans to move Crawford at the deadline. While his rookie season has not been the greatest the Phillies put too much pressure on Crawford and young pitcher Andrew Painter at the start of the year. A Phillies outfield platoon featuring Crawford and Hill rotating in center field is a reasonable path forward for the rest of 2026. Crawford should be allowed to develop in the majors. Trading Crawford after less than a full season in the majors would be a reactionary move that would send the wrong message to top prospects in the organization.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
