Phillies Outfield Battle: Brandon Marsh, Max Kepler, and the likelihood of a Johan Rojas squeeze-out

Spring training is underway, which means it’s time for another round of “Can Brandon Marsh hit lefties?” debates. But this time, the Phillies are going all-in on finding out.

With the addition of Max Kepler and the team’s commitment to giving Marsh everyday reps, it’s becoming clear that Johan Rojas might be the odd man out—at least to start the season.

The Brandon Marsh Experiment

The Phillies want to know what they have in Marsh before committing to a strict platoon setup. That’s why, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Rob Thomson is making sure Marsh gets as many at-bats as possible against left-handers this spring.

The numbers say Brandon Marsh might be turning a corner in that department. From August 1 onward last season, he slashed .269/.367/.500 against lefties—a small but encouraging sample size. If that translates over a full season, he should be an everyday player.

And if Brandon Marsh does prove he can handle lefties, then John Rojas’ role shrinks significantly. He’d likely slide into a fourth outfielder/defensive replacement role—a far cry from the everyday gig he held for most of 2024.

Max Kepler’s Role & Adjustments

Kepler arrives in Philadelphia with something to prove after a disappointing, injury-riddled 2024 with the Twins. A hip and knee injury zapped his power, and he finished with a career-low eight home runs while missing the final month of the season.

The silver lining is that Kepler actually improved against lefties, hitting .273 against them last season—well above his career mark of .243. That’s a big deal for a player who has traditionally been platoon-dependent.

One adjustment Kepler will have to make is his positioning in the outfield. He’s spent 10 years primarily in right field, but with Nick Castellanos locked in there, Kepler is being asked to slide over to left. It’s an adjustment, but Thomson doesn’t seem too concerned:

“The ball is always, whether you’re in right or left, it’s always going to spin towards a line. So he’s got to adjust to that,” Thomson said. “But he’s a really good athlete. He’s fast. He moves well, so I don’t think it’ll be that big of an adjustment for him.”

The John Rojas Squeeze-Out

If Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh both lock down everyday roles, then Rojas becomes a depth piece—a massive shift from how he was viewed last year.

His elite defense and speed still make him a valuable asset, but his offensive struggles—especially against right-handers—make it difficult to justify everyday at-bats if Marsh proves he can handle lefties.

For now, the Phillies are giving Marsh a real shot to prove he can be a full-time player. And if he delivers, Rojas might be the odd man out in 2025.

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