The Philadelphia Phillies recent lineup adjustment against right-handed starting pitchers is working out so far. Bryson Stott is the leadoff hitter against right-handed starting pitchers. Kyle Schwarber has moved to the fourth spot in the lineup. Schwarber now hits directly behind Bryce Harper, which was a motivating factor in making the changes. Trea Turner still bats leadoff for the Phillies against left-handed starting pitchers. Turner is the lone right-handed batter in the top four spots in the Phillies’ lineup against right-handed starting pitchers. Harper bats behind Turner in the order against both right-handed and left-handed starting pitchers.
Phillies Lineup Adjustment Leading To Success
Leadoff Spot In The Order
Stott has a .286/.361/.419 line with two home runs and 15 RBI in 28 games this season. Overall, Stott has a 119 wRC+, a .347 wOBA, and a .350 BABIP this season. Stott is off to a good start, looking for a rebound season in 2025. Additionally, Stott has a 20.2% strikeout rate and a 10.1% walk rate. That said, Stott does not have the greatest metrics in some areas. This season, Stott has a career-low 6.7% HR/FB rate and a career-low 18.3% hard contact rate. Stott has been more selective at the plate this season with a 36.3% swing rate, the weakest of his career. However, Stott does have a career-best 4.9%-barrel rate. This has helped Stott achieve the career-best walk rate at the moment. Stott also has seven stolen bases this year.
In 15 games batting first this season, Stott has a .292/.347/.431 line with one home run and 10 RBI. Stott has a 116 wRC+ with a .341 wOBA and a .340 BABIP in the leadoff spot. To add, Stott has a 16.7% strikeout rate and a 6.9% walk rate batting leadoff. Stott has a 5.3% HR/FB rate and a 22.2% hard contact rate in the leadoff spot. Regarding his overall hard contact rate, Stott has a better hard contact rate in the leadoff spot, which is good. Stott has the best SLG, OPS, wRC+, and wOBA he has had while batting leadoff of any season in his career. Five of Stott’s seven stolen bases this year have come in games where he was in the leadoff spot. This is where the Phillies lineup adjustment has had the most effect.
Cleanup Spot In The Order
Schwarber has a .239/.394/.523 line with nine home runs and 23 RBI in 31 games this season. In addition, Schwarber has a 154 wRC+ with a .400 wOBA and a .243 BABIP this season. Schwarber has done more than enough to get a contract extension from the Phillies. This season, Schwarber has a career-best 21.9% strikeout rate and an 18.2% walk rate. Schwarber has a 0.83 BB/K rate this season, which is a career best. Furthermore, Schwarber has the third-best walk rate among qualified hitters this season. Schwarber is also tied for the second-most home runs in the majors. This season, Schwarber has an outstanding 25.0% HR/FB rate, ranking ninth-best among qualified hitters in the majors.
In 18 games batting cleanup this season, Schwarber has a .288/.447/.559 line with four home runs and 14 RBI. Schwarber has a 180 wRC+ as well as a .438 wOBA with a .302 BABIP in the cleanup spot. Meanwhile, Schwarber has a 15.8% strikeout rate and a 21.1% walk rate batting fourth this season. Schwarber has an outstanding 1.33 BB/K rate in the cleanup spot this season. This is the best strikeout rate and walk rate Schwarber has had while batting cleanup in any season of his career. Out of the fourth spot this season, Schwarber has a 19.0% HR/Fb rate. Schwarber is excelling in the cleanup spot this season, and it is helping his RBI total compared to batting leadoff.
Main Photo Credits: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
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