Middleton Calls for Change in Hitting Approach Following Inconsistent Play and NLDS Exit.
**Philadelphia, PA –** After a frustrating postseason exit in 2024, Philadelphia Phillies owner **John Middleton**
is calling for a major shift in the team’s approach at the plate, demanding that hitters become “more disciplined” if
the team is to reach its full potential in 2025.
Despite finishing the regular season with the fifth-most runs in MLB, the Phillies’ offense was plagued by a recurring
issue: inconsistency at the plate. According to **Baseball Savant**, the team had one of the worst chase rates in the
league, swinging at 30.3% of pitches outside the strike zone, ranking 25th overall. This lack of plate discipline
became glaringly obvious during the Phillies’ four-game loss to the New York Mets in the NLDS, where they struck
out 38 times, scored just 12 runs, and posted a dismal .186 batting average and .597 OPS.
In an exclusive interview with **The Athletic**, Middleton didn’t mince words when discussing the need for change.
“Hitters have to become more disciplined,” he said, addressing the team’s habit of chasing pitches out of the zone.
“It’s not enough to say, ‘Well, that’s just the way that person is.’ The person has to change.”
Middleton went on to emphasize that the team’s struggles weren’t just a result of bad luck or “that’s baseball”
mentality. “I think some old dogs need to learn new tricks,” he added, referencing the need for seasoned players to
adapt. He pointed to examples like **Bryce Harper**, who successfully transitioned to a new position, and suggested
that other key players, such as **Trea Turner**, **Nick Castellanos**, and **J.T. Realmuto**, who have all shown a
tendency to chase bad pitches, must develop a more disciplined approach at the plate.
Middleton’s comments echo frustrations from last season’s postseason, when the Phillies’ offense also faltered in key
moments. After leading the 2023 NLCS 3-2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Phillies scored just three runs
combined in Games 6 and 7, ultimately falling short of a World Series appearance. Despite not reaching the Fall
Classic, the team largely kept the same lineup heading into 2024, only to face a similar early playoff exit in the NLDS.
As the offseason begins, Middleton’s message is clear: the Phillies can’t afford another postseason collapse due to
offensive inconsistency. With changes likely ahead, the organization is determined to overhaul its approach at the
plate and build a more disciplined, cohesive lineup heading into 2025.
