MLB's worst two fielders in Statcast history are both Phillies outfielders

The Philadelphia Phillies have turned their franchise around in the last few years, making the postseason for the first time in a while during the 2022 season, and since then, continually made the postseason year after year.

But, while they've made the postseason, have gotten incredible pitching performances and MVP-type offensive seasons during that time, the Phillies have also had some bad defense, especially in the outfield.

According to Baseball Savant's Fielding Run Value, the Phillies have two players on their roster who, since the 2018 season, are the worst two fielders in all of Major League Baseball.

Phillies have 2 worst fielders in MLB on roster in same outfield

Nick Castellanos, the Phillies' long-time right fielder, has a -90 Fielding Run Value. It's a staggeringly terrible number, as Castellanos, since 2018, has been the worst fielder in Major League Baseball by a wide margin.

The second worst FRV? Only a -57 FRV. The difference between the two is -33 Fielding Run Value, which is the same difference as the 2nd-worst fielder to the 40th-worst fielder in MLB since 2018.

Speaking of that 2nd-worst fielding in Major League Baseball since 2018, according to Fielding Run Value, who is it? None other than Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies newly minted $150 million designated hitter.

If fans ever wondered why Schwarber is a designated hitter-only, this statistic should make it clear. His defense is behind only Castellanos for worst in MLB over the last eight years.

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Fielding Run Value is only one metric, but even Baseball Savant's Outs Above Average doesn't favor either. Castellanos is still last with -75 OAA, while Kyle Schwarber is at a -65 OAA, the bottom two marks for all outfielders since 2016.

The Phillies had signed the two worst fielders in Major League Baseball history since Statcast came into play. While they both were tasked with outfield work, that's changing.

Schwarber is a DH only now, and his incredible offense more than makes up for the poor defense if he needs to play the outfield for a game or two.

Castellanos is going to be traded or cut before the 2026 regular season begins. He won't be on the roster this upcoming season, and the Phillies will, instead, get much better defensive play in right field from Adolis Garcia.

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