Youth Is The Key to This Phillies Season
Before the season started, the things people were excited about were the combination of Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, JT Realmuto, and the new additions of Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber. They thought those 5 in the lineup would be the reason the Phillies broke the decade-long streak of missing the playoffs. But Bryce Harper has missed the past two months. And Nick Castellanos has failed to live up to the promise he showed up with. And while Realmuto, Hoskins, and Schwarber have each been very good, it’s doubtful many would think those 3 alone would be enough. Instead, it has been the emergence of youth that has helped keep this team afloat.
When I say youth, I am thinking of two players in particular. Alec Bohm, and Bryson Stott. We saw Bryson Stott be a hero last night with a game-tying triple, before the game-winning run. Alec Bohm tried to be a hero Sunday with multiple 3-run sots, unfortunately, the team still lost. Both have become integral to the success of this team. And both started the season on shaky ground.
Bryson Stott with the CLUTCH game-tying RBI for Phillies 💪
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 24, 2022
(via @Phillies)pic.twitter.com/8mq92surR9
Bohm’s start to the season was a 3-error game. Afterward, he was seen mouthing “I F*&$ing hate this place.” But when called out on it, he handled it with a class and maturity you wouldn’t expect from a 3rd-year player. Especially from one who was coming off perhaps the lowest moment of his career. Stott’s season didn’t have the drama of that Bohm moment, be he struggled mightily. Entering June he was hitting just .123, with an OPS of .330. Two months ago I don’t know if anyone would think either Stott or Bohm would be important pieces of the Phillies in late August.
But Alec Bohm is now hitting .333 since the break. Stott is hitting .305. Both have an OPS over .800. We have seen the two of them step up in big moments multiple times. Stott has been putting balls in play at an elite level. Among Short Stops, he is 4th in AVG, 5th in OBP, 8th in SLG, 7th in OPS, and 5th in WAR. Alec Bohn has the 11th best batting average over that time among all MLB players. They have been fueling this team’s success since July.
Matt Gelb of The Athletic joined “The Best Show Ever?” earlier this week, and spoke about how both players turned their season around.
“Every week that we see him, he does something he couldn’t have done early in the season. Early on he looked overmatched. He didn’t play very much, he didn’t get a lot of chances… I know Stott was looking over his shoulder, and there were a lot of swings and misses. But what’s impressed me is he’s just gotten better… Just impressed by the overall approach. I think he’s a guy who is mature for his age. He’s corrected and made some adjustments. And you love to see that from a rookie because that is not easy to do.”- Matt Gelb on Stott
“He’s never going to be a gold glove 3rd baseman. He may never be an above-average 3rd baseman. But he was borderline unplayable early in the year. But he is way better than that now. He’s getting closer to average. That is a credit to him. It is a credit to Bobby Dickerson whose done great work with him… He’s using all parts of the field which you love. Do you wish there was a little more power? You do. But if he is hitting .300, and get a few extra-base hits, it’s a great profile… Bohm has been a real revelation this season. I think he deserves a lot of credit for turning it around.”- Matt Gelb on Bohm
For a long time, this Phillies team lacked youth. They struggled to draft and develop young guys. That led to them relying on free agents. But we are now seeing them have a youth revolution. Whether it is Stott or Bohm, or more veteran players like Hoskins and Nola. You could also look at Ranger Suarez and Seranthony Dominguez as part of that youth movement. Suddenly this team is full of homegrown guys. Stott and Bohm stick out the most as everyday players, but up and down the roster we are seeing young guys step into important roles.
And next year that could be taken to another level. Andrew Painter and Mick Abel are rising fast through the minor league system. Some even think those two could be up by the end of next year. It looks like Phillies fans better get used to the youth infusion. Because right now the young guys are making themselves vital to this team’s success.