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It took the entire first month of the 2025 season, but it seems the Philadelphia Phillies have their ideal lineup figured out.
Since manager Rob Thomson moved second baseman Bryson Stott into the leadoff spot - also sliding DH Kyle Schwarber behind Bryce Harper in the order - most of Philly's bats have come alive. It all starts at the top, where Stott is taking a massive jump in plate discipline.
The Phils' fourth-year infielder has a .365 on-base percentage as the leadoff hitter, and it's largely due to the remarkable patience he's been displaying. He's gone from swinging at the first pitch about 20% of the time to barely 5%, according to Baseball Savant data. His overall swing rate is down almost 20% compared to the first three seasons of his career, and he is chasing a third less bad pitches.
Bryson Stott has gone from one of Philly's weakest offensive players to having some of the best strike recognition in all of MLB. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Stott is far from the only one benefitting. Shortstop Trea Turner had a slow start to the year, partially due to the three games he missed early on, but has recovered to hit .280 out of the second spot. Nick Castellanos is batting .333 in the five hole. And the guy Stott effectively replaced is raking, even by his high standards.
Schwarber, the former leadoff man, is right at home down in the cleanup spot. Although his home run numbers are actually down (only three in 67 plate appearances), nearly every other offensive stat is on the rise. He's slashing .302/.456/.547, has 14 walks to only 11 strikeouts, and is also on pace for career-low chase and first-pitch swing rates. Translation: pitchers are terrified of throwing him anything crushable.
Just about the only one who isn't heating up yet is Harper - but the star has a history of slow starts, so it's probably nothing to be worried about. What is worth pondering is if this setup is implemented full-time.
The stats from above are mostly against right-handed starting pitchers. Against lefties, Stott has been sitting out for Edmundo Sosa while Turner and most of the lineup slide up one spot. That lineup has a much smaller sample size, and while Sosa has hit well enough to deserve some at bats, does it mean he should be taking them from Stott?
The Phillies next game has them facing off against Washington Nationals lefty MacKenzie Gore. The Turner-led lineup managed only one hit and struck out 13 times on Opening Day against him.
If Thomson wants to see if this lineup can work both ways, this is his chance.
Continue reading...
Since manager Rob Thomson moved second baseman Bryson Stott into the leadoff spot - also sliding DH Kyle Schwarber behind Bryce Harper in the order - most of Philly's bats have come alive. It all starts at the top, where Stott is taking a massive jump in plate discipline.
The Phils' fourth-year infielder has a .365 on-base percentage as the leadoff hitter, and it's largely due to the remarkable patience he's been displaying. He's gone from swinging at the first pitch about 20% of the time to barely 5%, according to Baseball Savant data. His overall swing rate is down almost 20% compared to the first three seasons of his career, and he is chasing a third less bad pitches.
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Bryson Stott has gone from one of Philly's weakest offensive players to having some of the best strike recognition in all of MLB. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Stott is far from the only one benefitting. Shortstop Trea Turner had a slow start to the year, partially due to the three games he missed early on, but has recovered to hit .280 out of the second spot. Nick Castellanos is batting .333 in the five hole. And the guy Stott effectively replaced is raking, even by his high standards.
Schwarber, the former leadoff man, is right at home down in the cleanup spot. Although his home run numbers are actually down (only three in 67 plate appearances), nearly every other offensive stat is on the rise. He's slashing .302/.456/.547, has 14 walks to only 11 strikeouts, and is also on pace for career-low chase and first-pitch swing rates. Translation: pitchers are terrified of throwing him anything crushable.
Just about the only one who isn't heating up yet is Harper - but the star has a history of slow starts, so it's probably nothing to be worried about. What is worth pondering is if this setup is implemented full-time.
The stats from above are mostly against right-handed starting pitchers. Against lefties, Stott has been sitting out for Edmundo Sosa while Turner and most of the lineup slide up one spot. That lineup has a much smaller sample size, and while Sosa has hit well enough to deserve some at bats, does it mean he should be taking them from Stott?
The Phillies next game has them facing off against Washington Nationals lefty MacKenzie Gore. The Turner-led lineup managed only one hit and struck out 13 times on Opening Day against him.
If Thomson wants to see if this lineup can work both ways, this is his chance.
Continue reading...
