Have the Phillies finally solved this glaring lineup issue?

The Phillies' offense, although touted as lethal, comprised of heavy hitters like Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, has looked lifeless for parts of two to three seasons now.

Philadelphia's lineup has been unreliable in key situations, such as the 2023 National League Championship Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks or the 2024 National League Division Series against the New York Mets, when the offense failed to perform, and they ultimately lost each series. 

It's been a glaring problem for some time now, and instead of bringing in outside help, the Phillies have chosen to address the issue from within, making minor moves like signing outfielder Max Kepler in the offseason.

On paper, the Phillies' lineup is built to hit, which is likely why the team has been hesitant to add any more expensive bats. The Phillies feel comfortable with who they have, and while this has sometimes been to their detriment, they've begun to recognize that the lineup order plays a critical role in a team's success.

Since signing Schwarber in 2022, he's mainly batted leadoff, starting 389 games there. And it made sense. Schwarber has hit 155 home runs and driven in 349 at that spot in the lineup. But it wasn't until this season that the club finally recognized that Schwarber may fit somewhere else in the lineup — the clean-up hitter — and act as protection for three-hole hitter Harper, who's generally lacked such protection since former first baseman Rhys Hoskins departed in 2023.

But who would bat leadoff? Shortstop Trea Turner has ample experience there, but he seems content in the two-hole. Enter second baseman Bryson Stott.