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Phillies Predicted to Replace Brandon Marsh With Different Lefty Hitter

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nelson Hubbell | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 4:00 PM ET

With a record of 43-30, the Philadelphia Phillies are positioning themselves to make a postseason run. Especially if Bryce Harper returns from injury soon. But the MLB Draft is around the corner, and the team still has to plan for who will be the future of the franchise.

The process starts with their 26th overall first-round pick. That's why ESPN's Kiley McDaniel expects the team to pick a long-term prospect that someday will fill the shoes of Brandon Marsh in centerfield.

"The Phillies are considering some high school players with upside, as you'd expect," McDaniel said.

He has Philadelphia picking highly-touted outfield prospect Sean Gamble from the IMG Academy, by way of Des Moines, Iowa. Gamble's arm strength and speed, both graded at 55, are his most notable traits, but his potential at the plate intrigues scouts the most.

"Gamble is a left-handed hitter who has a smooth and repeatable swing with a knack for finding the barrel, controlling the zone and doing damage to all fields," MLB.com's scouting report says. "As he's gaining strength, he's showing more raw power and should continue to leverage the ball and get to more extra-base authority as he moves along."

That profile fits nicely as a replacement for Brandon Marsh, who has just two home runs this season and has graded out to a negative WAR this season (-0.2). However, Gamble also has experience playing second base at IMG. While his scouting report says evaluators are leaning towards playing him in the outfield, they do have a comparison that might intrigue Phillies fans.

"The Vanderbilt recruit plays with a little edge to his game and reminds some of the Phillies' Bryson Stott," MLB.com says.

At 6'1" and 188 lbs, Gamble will likely take a few years to develop in the minor leagues. Right now, MLB.com has his draft ranking at 22, but his upside is intriguing, especially as the prospect adds more muscle to his frame.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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