Phillies' Brandon Marsh's stubbornness has led to his success at the plate

One of the bright spots in the Philadelphia Phillies lineup this season has been left fielder Brandon Marsh, who has played to an All-Star level. In 43 games, Marsh is batting .329 (fourth in baseball) with an .830 OPS. 

Playing every day, Marsh attributes his stubbornness and sticking to his routine to helping him develop into the hitter that Phillies fans are seeing this season.  

“I’m being stubborn to the routine, the preparation that we do in the cages,” Marsh said to Bill Ladson of MLB.com. “I’m not thinking a lot out there. I’m trying to trust all the stuff we do behind the scenes. Just letting it happen [once the game starts].”

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Philadelphia Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly isn't surprised seeing Brandon Marsh succeed 

Interim manager Don Mattingly credits Marsh's success to working with Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long, who, after Marsh returned from being sent down to Triple-A Leigh Valley after a terrible April (0-29), helped him slash .302/.354/.527 after the All-Star break last year. Long has been criticized for his lack of development of hitters (like second baseman Bryson Stott), but Marsh's development would say otherwise.  

“[He is] growing up from the standpoint of more and more game planning where he knows what he wants to do [against pitchers],” Mattingly said to Ladson. “He has a good swing. All the factors are there for him to be a good hitter. He is going to struggle like everyone else does in different times. But everything trends that he is a good hitter. This is who he is.”

With the All-Star game played at Citizens Bank Park this season and Marsh succeeding, he is making a strong case as to why he should be the starting left fielder for the National League. Marsh's main competitor to start is Colorado Rockies outfielder and former Phillie Mickey Moniak. In 39 games, the former first overall pick in 2016 by the Phillies is batting .298 with a National League-leading .996 OPS. 

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