Phillies Spring Training 2026: Could outfield actually be better this season?
Looking at the positive attributes of the Phillies outfield heading into 2026
Outfield has been a controversial topic for the Phillies over the past few seasons. From Bryce Harper moving to first base to Nick Castellanos’ struggles at the plate (and in the field), the Phillies outfield has been in a state of flux.
The outfield alignment has underwent a significant change at one of the three spots over the last few seasons. The Phillies decided to revamp the majority of the outfield in 2026, with a projected two new starters for Opening Day in 2026.
Despite the Phillies having a .764 OPS amongst their outfielders since Harrison Bader arrived (August 1, seventh in MLB), the outfield experienced significant changes. Justin Crawford is expected to start in center field on Opening Day while Adolis Garcia was signed to play right field. Gone are Bader and (soon to be) Nick Castellanos.
Left field is expected to be a platoon with Brandon Marsh and Otto Kemp, a combination the Phillies hope will provide much needed slugging to an outfield that needs power.
On paper, the makeshift outfield does cast some doubts. This group could end up better than the Phillies outfield than the unit that finished with a .710 OPS last season (18th in MLB) and a .692 OPS the season prior (also 18th).
Here are some positive signs the Phillies outfield could be better than expected:
Left field
Brandon Marsh
Marsh was the driving force behind the Phillies not bringing up Crawford on several occasions last season, as his bat forced the organization’s hand to keep Crawford in Triple-A Lehigh Valley — and getting everyday at bats.
Earning a spot in this outfield for 2026, Marsh hit .303 with an .836 OPS from May 1 through the end of the regular season (116 games). Included in those numbers are 10 home runs and 25 doubles.
Against right-handed pitching last season, Marsh hit .300 with an .838 OPS (122 games). Those numbers are more-than-good enough to start against right-handed pitching in 2026. The Phillies lineup is better against right-handed pitching with Marsh in it.
Otto Kemp
The Phillies are very high on Kemp and his bat, backing his potential after Kemp spent the majority of his major league stint with a broken left kneecap and a left shoulder injury that hindered him down the stretch.
Now that Kemp is healthy, the Phillies are giving him a golden opportunity to produce in this lineup. Kemp hit just .231 against left-handed pitching last season, but compiled a .786 OPS (41 games). Kemp also hit .321 with an .899 OPS in games at Citizens Bank Park (32 games), showcasing the power and gap-to-gap hitting in his home ballpark.
The Phillies are banking on Kemp becoming a more consistent player when healthy, along with being a player they can play at multiple positions (left field, third base, first base). The organization wants Kemp’s bat in the lineup.
Center field
Justin Crawford
The top prospect in the Phillies system has done everything the organization could have asked for in the minor leagues. Crawford was the International League batting champion last season with a .334 average, finishing with an .863 OPS (112 games).
What was more impressive than Crawford’s overall batting average? His average and production against left-handed pitching, as Crawford hit .376 with a .929 OPS.
Crawford even hit with runners in scoring position, finishing with a .363 average and an .898 OPS. Whenever the IronPigs needed a spark in their offense, Crawford was there to provide one.
A future top-of-the-lineup hitter for the Phillies, Crawford is expected to hit ninth this season. The Phillies believe Crawford is a mainstay in the outfield.
Right field
Adolis Garcia
The wild card in the Phillies outfield, Garcia was signed to a one-year, $10 million deal early in the offseason — a signing that may have been too early. Garcia will be the right fielder in place of Castellanos, as the Phillies are hoping he can become the player that shined for the Texas Rangers in the 2023 postseason.
The last two seasons have not been kind to Garcia, who hit just .225 with a .675 OPS (289 games). Garcia is a significant upgrade over Castellanos defensively, but there are legitimate questions regarding his bat.
Against left-handed pitchers, Garcia has hit just .215 with a .668 OPS over the last two seasons. There isn’t any statistic where Garcia has eye-popping numbers, adding even more concern regarding his production.
Garcia is still a good defender with a gold glove on his resumé, and a two-time All-Star. He has a significantly more accomplished career than anyone else in the Phillies outfield, but can Garcia rekindle that success in 2026?
Garcia had a 2.7 WAR despite his struggles last season, higher than Marsh (1.7), Castellanos (-0.8), and Kemp (-0.2) combined. Even with a suspect bat, he’s an upgrade in right field.
If the Phillies can get a .750 OPS out of Garcia this season, that’s a significant win.