Apr 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) is congratulated by shortstop Trea Turner (7) after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Bill Streicher
Rob Thomson cracked the door open for someone other than Kyle Schwarber leading off in 2025 during his year-end press conference back in October. He updated where his thinking is during a recent appearance on "The Phillies Show."
Speaking to Ruben Amaro Jr., Jim Salisbury and Todd Zolecki, Thomson said this of his current thinking regarding the top of the order:
"I think we'll play with it during Spring Training and see where it goes and see what the best fit for us is," Thomson said. "And maybe it's a situation where if we're facing a lefty we do one thing, if we're facing a righty we do another thing. Maybe it's moving [Kyle] Schwarber behind [Bryce] Harper to protect Harper more ... which, maybe that moves Harper up in the lineup a little bit ... not leadoff, but maybe two.
"But those are conversations that I've gotta have with guys and we'll do the best thing we can and keep people comfortable, but at the same time, put the best lineup out there to score runs," Thomson continued. "I tell people all the time 'Don't forget now, we were top five in almost every major category offensively. So let's not try and outthink this thing.'"
Interestingly, it doesn't appear at this time that Bryson Stott — who some believe has top-of-the-order potential but is looking to rebound after a disappointing 2024 at the plate — is a candidate to hit leadoff in the event that Schwarber doesn't. When asked about who could lead off other than Schwarber, Thomson said "you're probably talking about Trea [Turner]."
However, that appears to be more tied to the fact that Stott is one of five lefties projected to be in the Opening Day lineup for the Phillies.
"Well the thing is that we're so left-handed," Thomson said. "And you want Harper and you want Schwarber getting as many at-bats as you can. And now you put Stott in the leadoff spot, now you're really left-handed at the top. It might create a problem. Even if you're facing a right-hander ... you know, everybody's got three lefties in the 'pen it seems anymore. And they'll just start matching up on you."
While Nick Castellanos and Alec Bohm have at times performed well in the cleanup spot over the last couple seasons, it's felt like the Phillies have missed that true middle-of-the-order slugger that drives in 110 runs because the top of lineup has set the table for him. Schwarber could potentially be that guy, but it would require the Phillies figuring out an alternate solution at the top of the order.
Perhaps Turner — who the Phillies have hinted they want to get back to making contact on a more consistent basis — can lead off. Would you then hit Harper second and Schwarber third? Or Harper second and Schwarber fourth? It would be interesting to see who the Phillies would have either hit third or fourth in that scenario, presumably it would either be Castellanos or Bohm.
Certainly, there's nothing wrong with considering alternate setups at the top of the lineup. But the Phillies have won a lot of games — even if not a World Series to this point — with Schwarber leading off. Being up 1-0 after the first batter of the game is a pretty deflating feeling for the opposing team. So while the Phillies may experiment with other options at the top of the order in April, don't be shocked if by Fourth of July Schwarber is leading off every day once again.
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