Marsh Bounces Back from Slump with Help from Stubbs

Philadelphia, PA — Brandon Marsh is turning his season around after hitting rock bottom earlier this year. The Philadelphia Phillies outfielder struggled in the early part of the 2025 season, hitting just .095 in his first 17 games before landing on the injured list with a hamstring strain.

As the season kicked off, Marsh faced mounting pressure and questions about his performance, particularly against left-handed pitching. His 0-for-31 slump weighed heavily on him as he expressed feeling like he was letting his team down. “I just feel like I’m letting my guys down,” Marsh said. “And I need to be better for them.”

While recovering, Marsh was sent to triple-A Lehigh Valley for a rehab assignment, where he reconnected with old friend Garrett Stubbs. Stubbs, who spent much of the season in the minors, recognized Marsh’s struggles and offered him simple advice. “Buddy, it really can’t get worse,” Stubbs told him. “So just show up, and just play, and just let the game happen.”

That conversation made a significant impact on Marsh’s mindset. “He was just like, ‘Dude, just show up,’” Marsh said. “But it really did help me, just settle me down and just calm me down and put it into perspective.”

Following that talk, Marsh began focusing on his at-bats rather than the pressures of the season. He approached his struggles pitch by pitch and at-bat by at-bat. When he returned from the injured list on May 3, he quickly made an impact, recording two hits in his first game back.

Since his time in Lehigh Valley, Marsh has transformed his performance. His batting average has soared to .303 with an .836 OPS, marking the best stretch of his career. He also improved his approach against breaking pitches, which have been a weakness in the past.

After the Phillies added Harrison Bader to their outfield, the focus shifted to internal improvements, and Marsh stepped up. His teammates, including Nick Castellanos and Max Kepler, have also seen success after struggling earlier in the season.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski noted the team’s returning players are beginning to play at the level they expected, saying, “Look at the back of the bubble gum card. It’s generally quite true.”

When Stubbs rejoined the Phillies in September, he noticed Marsh was much more relaxed and confident. Stubbs emphasizes the importance of being there for teammates and creating an environment where they can discuss their struggles openly. “I take a lot of pride in being able to have those conversations with my teammates,” he said.

Marsh acknowledges that slumps are part of baseball but trusts he can handle future challenges better. “I’ve never experienced something like I did in April this year,” he said. “But I can just give Stubby a call.”