Sports
Left is sometimes right for Phillips | The Express Tribune
Glenn Phillips said his audacious switch-hitting show in a recent Super Smash match was no gimmick. Photo: AFP
WELLINGTON:
New Zealand batter Glenn Phillips said his audacious switch-hitting show in a recent Super Smash match was no gimmick but a tactical option he has honed for years to counter left-arm spin.
In last week’s match against Central Districts, Otago right-hander Phillips switched stance while off-spinner Dean Foxcroft was midway through his run-up, and hit the bowler for a four with what could have been mistaken for a full-blooded cover drive from a left-handed batter.
Jaws dropped further in the final over of the Otago innings when Phillips took up a left-hander’s stance even before left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox had begun his run-up and hit the bowler for a six.
“I do enjoy my left-handed batting training,” Phillips, who smashed an unbeaten 90 off 48 balls in the game, said before leaving for New Zealand’s white-ball tour of India on Tuesday.
“Obviously, I do it for multiple reasons. One, just to keep both hands and both sides of the brain working, but (also) for the opportunity to take down left-arm spin.”
England’s Kevin Pieterson pioneered switch-hitting, while Australian duo David Warner and Glenn Maxwell had it in their armoury but used it mostly to explore gaps behind or square of the wicket.
“I’ve always been able to bat left-handed. It’s something I’ve done since I was young,” Phillips said.
“I was going to switch when I was about 10-years-old and actually bat left-handed full time, but decided to stick with the right hand as it was.”
Teams often employ a left-arm orthodox spinner to take the ball away from a right-handed batter, especially in the 20-overs format.
Phillips said he even faced pacers in the nets with a switched stance to improve his left-handed batting.
“It’s been a few years since it’s really had a chance to come out … but for it to actually pay off, and for years of work to come out on the field was really (pleasing),” he added.
With spring training camps underway, it is time to look at the state of baseball. As part of our 2026 MLB season preview, ESPN’s Buster Olney surveyed those around the industry to help him rank the top 10 players at every position.
The objective of this exercise is to identify the best players for the 2026 season, not who might be best in five years or over their career. Who will be the best pitchers to take the mound this season? Who are the game’s most powerful hitters in 2026? And how do marquee positions like shortstop and center field shake out?
We rolled out a position per day over two weeks: starting pitchers, relievers, catchers, first basemen, second basemen, third basemen, shortstops, corner outfielders, center fielders and designated hitters.
Who are the best players today? Check out who makes the list at every position.
Top 10 starting pitchers
The question seems simple: Who is the best starting pitcher in MLB, Tarik Skubal or Paul Skenes? But this was a debate that confounded evaluators more than any other. See our top 10 »
Top 10 relief pitchers
MLB bullpens are loaded with flamethrowers again in 2026 — but there’s not really any doubt who’s No. 1 among relievers. See our top 10 »
Top 10 catchers
Seattle’s Cal Raleigh set the standard for hard-hitting catchers with a historic 2025 season. Can anyone beat him out for the top spot? See our top 10 »
Top 10 first basemen
The battle for the top spot on our list at first base is between a veteran star coming off a dominant October and a young slugger who could be the talk of MLB in 2026. Which player is the best of the best? See our top 10 »
Top 10 second basemen
This year’s second basemen include accomplished veterans, young stars and players still new to the position. Here are the best of the best. See our top 10 »
Top 10 third basemen
The hot corner boasts stars like Jose Ramirez, Alex Bregman, Manny Machado, Bo Bichette, Carlos Correa and more. Where do they all land among the top 10 at the position? See our top 10 »
Top 10 shortstops
The shortstop position is full of big-name stars: Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson, Geraldo Perdomo, Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager and Mookie Betts, to name a few. But which one earned the top spot at the premier infield position? See our top 10 »
Top 10 corner outfielders
The outfield corners are loaded with future Hall of Famers, fast-rising young players and two sluggers who share a city. See our top 10 »
Top 10 center fielders
Center field is a spot ruled by some of baseball’s young stars — but which one of them sits atop our list? See our top 10 »
Top 10 designated hitters
You might be able to guess the superstar atop the list of the best designated hitters in baseball for 2026 — but who else joins him in our ranking? See our top 10 »
Ranking MLB’s best at every position for 2026: Olney’s top 10s
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