Currently sharing baseball’s lowest record (9-19) with the Mets, the Phillies are struggling across the board. Their offensive performance is significantly below recent seasons’ standards, prompting speculation about potential upcoming changes.
However, a change concerning the hitting coach seems improbable for the time being. Kevin Long, who joined the Phillies in 2022, is likely to retain his position.
As Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported on Sunday, the Phillies secured Long with a three-year deal this past offseason. Gelb further stated that Long had been a coaching free agent and “garnered substantial interest from competing teams.”
Following Philadelphia’s 6-2 defeat to the Braves on Sunday, a game where they managed only two hits, Manager Rob Thomson — whose own job stability is currently uncertain — offered significant commendation for Long.
“Kevin stands among the game’s elite,” Thomson informed reporters, including Gelb. “A few Hall of Famers would readily attest to that.”
Since Long took over as hitting coach, the Phillies have consistently ranked among the top ten scoring teams. However, their dismal performance this season places them 28th in runs scored (102), trailing only the Giants (97) and Mets (92). The team’s collective batting line is .219/.294/.362.
This season, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper have been the Phillies’ sole reliable hitters. Brandon Marsh (.795) and Edmundo Sosa (.721) are the only other players exceeding a .700 OPS. The remaining hitters have either experienced prolonged slumps or have performed poorly.
Trea Turner, with a .230 batting average and .658 OPS, has seen a recent decline in form. Bryson Stott’s strong second half from the previous season hasn’t carried over, as he currently holds a .541 OPS. Alec Bohm ranks 180th among qualified hitters with a .412 OPS, placing him at the very bottom.
These three examples merely scratch the surface of the Phillies’ struggling offensive unit.
Projected for a 52-win season, the Phillies find themselves in a significant slump. Should this trend persist for another week or two, substantial alterations might ensue. Regardless of the form these changes take, it’s not guaranteed that Long’s dismissal would be among them, given his highly regarded reputation both within the Phillies organization and throughout the sport.
