Optimizing Outfield Alignment is Crucial for the Phillies' Future Success

The Philadelphia Phillies should stabilize their outfield lineup after the conclusion of their six-day platoon. Johan Rojas was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make room on the 26-man roster for trade acquisition Harrison Bader. Since that move, Max Kepler and Otto Kemp have been sharing left field, while Brandon Marsh and Bader have been sharing center field. Those platoons ran through the entirety of the Phillies’ six-game homestand immediately following the trade deadline. Weston Wilson has also been getting occasional playing time in left field. The club has not announced additional outfield plans at this moment. Multiple options seem to be on the table right now.

Phillies Need to Stabilize Their Outfield Alignment Moving Forward — Aug 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader (2) reacts after hitting a 3-run home run during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Going forward, Marsh should be the left fielder with Bader as the center fielder and Nick Castellanos as the right fielder. This is the optimal outfield alignment for offensive performance. While Bader has a .143/.200/.357 line with a 49 wRC+ and a .111 BABIP with the Phillies, he should be an everyday player. The limited sample size overshadows the career year he is having at the plate. Bader has a .253/.332/.435 line with a 114 wRC+ and a .312 BABIP this year. His 13 home runs are his most in a season since 2021. Bader’s 41 RBI this year are the third most he has had in a season, and he is also tied for a career best wRC+ this season.

Phillies Must Stabilize Outfield Alignment

Top Prospect Waiting in the Wings

Justin Crawford is basically major league-ready at this point. He has a .325/.410/.422 line with three home runs and 31 RBI, and 35 stolen bases in 90 Triple-A games this season. He also has a 126 wRC+ along with a .404 BABIP. Meanwhile, Crawford has an 18.3% strikeout rate and a career-best 12.5% walk rate, which equates to a 0.68 BB/K rate for the season. He has a career low 49.3% swing rate and a career best 84.6% contact rate. While Crawford still hits a lot of ground balls (2.99 GB/FB rate), he does have a career-high 20.8% line drive rate this season.

Implications of a Potential Big Change

If Crawford gets called up, it will probably not be until August 15 or later at this point. By waiting until then, Crawford would be able to maintain rookie eligibility for the 2026 season. Kepler would likely be released to make room for Crawford on the roster if the Phillies go ahead with this. In the minor leagues, Crawford has played left field and center field. In the event of a callup, he would presumably take over left field with Marsh and Bader platooning in center field. It is essential for the Phillies to play Crawford every day at the same position if they elect to call him up. He needs to play every day for development reasons if he is going to be on the 26-man roster.

What To Do with the Underperforming Max Kepler

Kepler has been a very disappointing signing for the Phillies. In 98 games, he has a .204/.295/.366 line to go along with 12 home runs and 36 RBI this season. Kepler also has an 83 wRC+ and a .222 BABIP this year. Of those numbers, the home run total is the only one better than what Kepler recorded in 105 games in 2024. The Kepler signing did not make sense from the start, and it is not surprising it has reached this point. Kepler has an abysmal .662 OPS and a .290 wOBA this season, which is his worst in any season where he played at least 75 games. The BABIP is also a career worst. This year, Kepler has not provided the necessary offensive production. He should be off the roster if Crawford gets called up.