How taking ‘the Schwarber approach’ turned Brandon Marsh into one of the Phillies’ most reliable hitters
The Phillies outfielder, who has a hit in all eight of his starts this season, described his approach at the plate as “controlled aggression.”
DENVER — Brandon Marsh has picked up where he left off last year.
Once he broke out of a career-worst slump that spanned last March and April, the Phillies outfielder put together a standout season at the plate in 2025, and it appears to have carried over. Out of all major league players with at least 400 plate appearances since last May, Marsh’s .303 batting average entering Sunday’s game ranks fifth.
“I think he’s sort of taken the [Kyle] Schwarber approach,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “When Schwarb is going good. Thinking left-center a little bit more, keeps him on the ball, gets the ball up in the air a little bit more.”
Marsh has at least one hit in the eight games he has started so far this season. That includes Sunday’s series finale against the Colorado Rockies when he laced a double into left-center field in his first plate appearance.
He has one homer and three doubles.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily he wanted to pull [before],” Thomson said. “But I don’t think he really had an idea of, ‘OK, this is my focus, and this is where I’m going to stay. And if I get the ball out front, I’m going to hit it in the air to the pull-side. And if I hit the ball deep, then I’m going to hit a line drive the other way.’ I think it’s more of just a mindset than anything else.”
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Marsh described his own approach lately as “controlled aggression” on pitches within the zone.
Since he was traded to Philadelphia, much has been made about whether Marsh will develop into an everyday player capable of reliably hitting left-handed pitching. But even if his role continues to be a platoon left fielder with Otto Kemp, the Phillies will take that, especially if he maintains this level of production against righties.
“He’s a great athlete, big and strong, fast,” Thomson said. “He’s got bat speed. I mean, he’s got all the things, ingredients in there to be a good hitter. And it’s showing right now.”
Kerkering nears return
Orion Kerkering flew to San Francisco on Sunday and will meet the Phillies on Monday. He pitched one inning on Saturday night for triple-A Lehigh Valley, checking the final box for his rehab assignment from a hamstring strain.
Kerkering threw 13 pitches, allowing one hit and no runs or walks and striking out two. He threw one splitter — a pitch he introduced this offseason — for a ball in the dirt, but it had a lot of depth.
Thomson believes that Kerkering’s splitter is ready to be an official part of his arsenal when he rejoins the major league club.
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“Because he’s throwing it, other than [Saturday] night’s outing, and it’s been really good,” Thomson said. “And it just gives the hitter different look, gets them off slider a little bit, but it’s got a lot of bottom to it.”
Kerkering is eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list on Monday, but the Phillies will determine when to officially activate him after seeing him in San Francisco.
Extra bases
Rafael Marchán started at catcher on Sunday to give J.T. Realmuto a day off. … Zack Wheeler went back to Philadelphia following his latest rehab outing for Lehigh Valley. He will work out at Citizens Bank Park with Phillies trainers and throw a side bullpen session before his next triple-A start on Wednesday. … Andrew Painter (1-0, 1.69 ERA) will start Monday’s series opener against San Francisco Giants right-hander Adrian Houser (0-1, 1.69 ERA).