Brandon Marsh had knee surgery last Friday in Philadelphia. (Cheryl Pursell)CLEARWATER, Fla. – Brandon Marsh is expected to be ready for the start of the season after undergoing knee surgery last week in Philadelphia.The ever-optimistic Marsh spoke to reporters in Clearwater on Thursday and said he was on his way to Opening Day. He ran and played on the outdoor field at the BayCare stadium under the watchful eye of head athlete Paul Buchheit.”I’m happy now,” Marsh said. “
I have good hands and we are on the right track.”Marsh said he started feeling discomfort in his knee earlier in the offseason. It got to the point where he had to contact the medical staff. Last week, he underwent a procedure in Philly that he described as “cleansing.”The problem, as Marsh suggested, stems from an injury in August 2022 against the Reds. He tried to make a leaping catch to rob Jonathan India of a home run, but fell to the track.
He missed 10 days with what was believed to be a sprained left ankle at the time. Marsh also missed games last year with a sprained left knee.Most of Marsh’s playing time this season will be focused against lefties. In 2023, he posted a .717 OPS in 110 plate appearances against left-handed pitching, but was protected at times against tougher opponents.
He also had to share the field with teammate Cristian Pache, who had a .924 OPS against lefties in 57 plate appearances.It’s unclear if the Phillies will look for a similar lineup in left field this year.
The Phillies like the idea of two Gold Glove-caliber outfielders with Rojas in center and Marsh, who is stronger in the corner, in left.”When those two guys are on the field, we’re a much better defensive team,” Rob Thomson said Thursday.But if Pache, a strong defender in his own right, breaks camp with the team, Marsh could one day sit opposite the left-handed starter.
It’s very possible that the lineup will determine Marsh’s playing time against lefties more than how he looks against them. It’s also possible that Marsh comes out of the gate hot and makes the Phillies think twice about lining him up against lefties.Marsh is fine anyway
“For me personally, sure,” Marsh said. “I’d like to be out there every pitch, every inning, no matter who’s on the other team. But the guys on the staff have a job to do and they have to put the best lineup they can to help our team win.” Whatever it is, it’s going to be tonight, and I’m cool with it.” 4,444 4,444 2023 was a good year for Marsh, now 26. The production came at times, but he finished the year with .277/. 372 /.458 slash with 12 home runs and With 60 RBIs in 472 pitches, he is 30 games shy of the hitting title, but if he does, he would be tied for fourth among players 25 and under behind Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto. and Adley Rutschman.4,444 4,444 His walk rate increased in 2022 -2023 to more than double His zone awareness improved, but he still struggled to limit the swing and misses. His goal is to reduce the number of cuts in 2024. He has yet to have a season with a slugging percentage below 30% in his major league career.”I can put the bat on the ball a little more,” Marsh said. “
That was kind of my MO when I went through the minor leagues and came back to the high level. I know the competition is different, but I have to get back to it..
