{"id":108385,"date":"2025-10-14T18:58:59","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T22:58:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=108385"},"modified":"2025-10-14T18:58:59","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T22:58:59","slug":"kevin-long-future-phillies-hitting-coach-after-postseason-exit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/10\/14\/kevin-long-future-phillies-hitting-coach-after-postseason-exit\/","title":{"rendered":"Power Outage in Philly: Kevin Long\u2019s Future After Another Postseason No-Show by Phillies Sluggers"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Monday, the Philadelphia Phillies announced they will \u201crun it back\u201d at least one more time with manager Rob Thomson<\/a> in 2026 \u2014 a move that signals confidence in the team\u2019s skipper, who owns the highest winning percentage of any Phillies manager in team history. On the other side, there must be some accountability for three straight duds by Philadelphia\u2019s bats in the postseason. With Kevin Long\u2019s contract expiring after the 2025 season, a decision is on the horizon. For a hitting coach whose roots run deep throughout the veteran-heavy roster, Long\u2019s so-called “simplified” approach may have run its course for a leaking group of stars and young talent that hasn’t developed at the plate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oct 8, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (49) looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kevin Long’s Future as Phillies Hitting Coach Up in the Air<\/h2>\n

Accountability<\/b><\/h3>\n

When Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies\u2019 front office decided to bring Rob Thomson back<\/a> after speculation he could be out as manager, fans rolled their eyes at the thought of another first-round exit in October. The blame doesn\u2019t seem to be aimed at Thomson, but at the thought of cooking with the same ingredients that produced back-to-back-to-back distasteful memories for the Philly faithful. The Phillies bringing back Thomson after a failed 2025 puts even more pressure on making smaller, more impactful changes to avoid looking like nothing was done to improve.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The question now becomes what his staff looks like.<\/p>\n

Caleb Cotham is seen as a star.<\/p>\n

Kevin Long helped Bryson Stott turn his season around, and Kyle Schwarber credits him for turning his career around. Would you really move on from him if you want to bring Schwarber back? https:\/\/t.co\/mEXyO0y9Rw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) October 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n