May 3, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh (16) speaks with hitting coach Kevin Long (53) before hitting against the Los Angeles Dodgers. during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
When the Phillies hired Kevin Long as their hitting coach in October of 2021, then-manager Joe Girardi compared the accomplished instructor to Nick Saban.
Rob Thomson didn't quite go that far Tuesday, but remained steadfast in his support for Long, who will return for a fourth season as the team's hitting coach in 2025.
"I think if you go around baseball and you talk to every baseball person and say 'OK, give me your top five hitting coaches in baseball,' he's going to be on almost every list," Thomson said. "And he's going to be No. 1 on a lot of lists."
Thomson received a one-year extension that will keep him in his role through the 2026 season. The entirety of his staff will be back in 2025. There had been some speculation after the bats went cold in the 2024 postseason — as they did late in the 2023 NLCS — that the Phillies could make a chance at hitting coach.
Long was already signed through the 2025 season, though, and is held with extremely high regard internally. The same was true when he was previously the hitting coach for the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Washington Nationals.
Both Thomson and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski did talk about some potential adjustments that could be made to the team's offensive approach in general terms, citing the ability to hit to the opposite field more often and continuing to limit chase. Trea Turner and Bryson Stott appear to be two players who the Phillies believe can improve internally in terms of hitting for contact more consistently in 2025.
Brandon Marsh May Not Fit What Phillies Need From Secondary Lineup Pieces - @OnPattison https://t.co/Tz8bgULMMe
At the same time, there's only so much a hitting coach can do within the constraints of the roster given to him. Turner and Nick Castellanos are streaky. Kyle Schwarber is going to strike out. There are serious questions about how the Phillies proceed in both center and left field. Stott disappointed in 2024, and Alec Bohm had a concerning finish to a once-tremendous campaign.
It goes feel like the Phillies need the secondary pieces in their lineup to make contact on a more consistent basis. That's why you can question the fit of someone like Brandon Marsh — despite hitting righties very well and being a strong defender — moving forward.
However the Phillies construct their roster for 2025, though, they still believe Long is the best person to craft their hitting approach.
