Ex-Phillies GM highlights "Kyle Schwarber made a major change," urging Trea Turner to commit to a patient batting approach in 2025
Philadelphia Phillies had a star-studded batting lineup but failed to make it out of the first round of the playoffs. They fell to the New York Mets in four games in the NLDS, scoring less than three runs in the three defeats. That has been attributed to the Phillies' batting style, which hasn't been productive when most needed.
After the playoffs, the Phillies batters were called to be too aggressive with none having the ability to contact hit and earn bases. On The Phillies Show podcast, co-hosts Todd Zolecki and Jim Salisbury discussed with former manager Ruben Amaro how the team can proceed from here.
As per Zolecki while signing free agents like Padres' Steven Kwan is an option, the organization can go for internal fixes, preferably Bryson Stot, who can be transformed into such a contact-hitting player.
"I also got two or three questions on Steven Kwan and could the Phillies go out and get him and that would be amazing but I also feel that Bryson Stot can be kind of that guy, get the bat on the ball, hit the ball the opposite field, make a lot of contact, get a high batting average, he can be that guy," Zolecki said. [34:35]
But Amaro felt that the entirety of the load shouldn't be on Stot. Players like Trea Turner can also learn new techniques that aid their game. He took the example of Kyle Schwarber and showcased his progress in 2024.
"Kyle Schwarber made a major comp change, he became a pretty damn good hitter. All of a sudden he raises his average by 50 points, so he made it a real difficult change in his approach to get to where he was this year as a productive player. Why can't Trea Turner do that?" Amaro said. [35:46]
"I am hopeful that a guy like Trea Turner goes back and says, 'You know what I have to be more selective and I got to give myself a chance at more success,'" Amaro added. [36:35]
Jim Salisbury feels Phillies batters need to set private goals
Continuing the conversation, Jim Salisbury felt Phillies batters like Bryson Stot and Trea Turner should set individual plans for the season.
"If Trea Turner set the private goal, 'I want to win a batting title', and if Bryson Stot set the private goal, 'I want to hit .300', I think that would serve them really well," Salisbury said. [37:40]
Most of the Phillies' work in the offseason will be getting internal fixes so that when next year's playoffs come around, they have a plan ready to score more runs.