Kyle Schwarber, Bryson Stott discuss Phillies’ lineup shakeup with Bryce Harper back
LOS ANGELES — Bryce Harper’s return to the Phillies’ lineup resulted in a shakeup that saw Kyle Schwarber move into the leadoff spot for the first time this season as Bryson Stott shifted down to fifth.
It was an unexpected change given Stott’s .315 batting average and penchant for taking pitches, but Thomson is going to roll with this batting order for now.
“I bounced back and forth about 100 times between him and Stotter,” he said. “At the end of the day, I just figured, it’s the formula we used last year. Schwarbs had his most success either hitting in the first or second spot and I think Stott will perform in the middle because he makes contact. If he’s got runners on base, he makes contact. We’ll go with it for now and see how it works.”
Schwarber has been seeing the ball better over the last week, entering Tuesday’s game at Dodger Stadium with two homers and a .438 on-base percentage in his last eight games. He led off in 123 of his 153 starts last season, and while his .317 OBP in that spot left something to be desired, he did homer 38 times.
Schwarber feels most comfortable atop the order but it’s not like he was lobbying for the switch. “Both those guys, they really don’t care where they hit,” Thomson said prior to the middle game of the Phillies-Dodgers series.
Schwarber feels he’s most successful in the leadoff spot when he’s not concerned with upholding the traditional values of a leadoff hitter.
“I think the biggest thing is taking the leadoff conception out of it, trying to take away the, ‘see pitches, get on base, take walks’ thing instead of taking my own at-bats,” he said. “I naturally do those things, so why try to force something that I already do?
“I’ve been in that spot many times, all throughout my career. My first shot at it in 2017, I was awful. Then I got a little bit better in ’21, had a lot of success, and then ’22 obviously.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Stott said pregame that his approach won’t change either. He’s seen a ton of pitches but has also been aggressive when getting a first pitch in the zone and says that will continue.
“Talking with (hitting coach Kevin) Long, he says that first one’s probably the best one you’re going to see,” Stott said.
The Phillies faced a tough lefty in Harper’s first game back, Dodgers ace Julio Urias. They alternated lefties and righties in the first six spots and left-handed-hitting Brandon Marsh batted eighth. Prior to the game, Thomson said Marsh should be in the conversation for National League Player of the Month in April. (Ronald Acua Jr. will be tough to beat.) Marsh entered Tuesday hitting .337 with a 1.062 OPS, seven doubles, four triples and four homers.
Not a bad option in the eight-spot of a batting order.
“It’s big-time,” Marsh said of the Phillies’ lineup depth. “It makes the decisions harder for the other squad to bring in guys from the bullpen. If you want to bring a lefty in, they’re going to see a bunch of righties. If you want to bring a righty in, they’re going to see a bunch of lefties. It’s a really versatile lineup and an advantage for sure.”
Harper’s return essentially replaces a bottom-of-the-order bat like Kody Clemens or Jake Cave with a two-time MVP, elongating the Phillies’ lineup even if he scuffles early in his return. Harper has acknowledged that he might not be himself offensively for a little while. Last season, he missed two months with a thumb injury that required surgery, and when he returned he hit just .227 the rest of the way with a .676 OPS before turning it back on in the playoffs.
But there will be no easing-in process at the plate. The Phillies plan to play Harper every day and the upcoming schedule is conducive to it. The Phils are off Thursday, next Monday, next Thursday and the following Thursday.
“It’s kind of a natural progression with the days off we have,” Thomson said. “It’s two games, day off, three games, day off, two games, day off, so it’s pretty good.”
