Phillies’ Alec Bohm unbothered by move to first base, continues to connect at the plate
By PAUL HAGEN
Theres always been this thought, shapeless and unformed, floating like a cloud above the Phillies. That maybe, just maybe, third baseman Alec Bohm might be better moving the 127 feet, 3 3/8 inches diagonally across the diamond to play first.
After lying dormant, the idea began buzzing at the edges of the organizations consciousness this spring when first baseman Rhys Hoskins was lost for the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. Dont worry, Bohm was told. Youre still the third baseman. Darick Hall will play first.
The sun rose and set a few times before Hall was lost with a torn ligament in his right thumb. Dont worry, Bohn was told again. You may make a few starts at third but only when the Phillies are facing a lefthander and we want to get another righthanded bat in the lineup by playing Edmundo Sosa at third.
The statute of limitations ran out on that Sunday at Citizens Bank Park when manager Rob Thomson posted a lineup with Sosa at third and Bohn at first against Cincinnati righthander Connor Overton.
It hasnt seemed to bother Bohm much. His two-run homer off Overton in the fourth stood to be the game winner until Cincinnati came back to score three in the top of the ninth for a 6-4 comeback win.
It was his second homer of the season, which is a good sign for a team that needs somebody to pick up the power slack with Hoskins out and Bryce Harper on the injured list. In 2022, Bohm didnt hit his second homer until his 18th game.
Small sample size, Bohm said. Hit some balls hard, hit some balls not hard. Its just kind of baseball.
He was even less interested in talking about the fact that hes playing first base more than anybody could have anticipated. I dont care, he said. Were trying to put the best team on the field every day.
On Saturday, manager Rob Thomson said the only reason Bohm was at first was to get Sosa in the lineup. Before Sundays game, he explained his change in thinking about the match-up based on how well Sosa (.353) has been swinging the bat.
In fact, he said he believes Sosa is capable of playing five or six times a week.
It doesnt mean hes going to play every every day, Thomson clarified. But were going to see what he can do against righthanded pitching. Hes that talented. Well see, because were going to get him some more playing time. His offense is improving. Hes not chasing as much, hes staying on breaking balls, hes stronger than he was last year. Hes a great kid, great teammate. I really love him. He gives you energy every day.
Until further notice, then, it sounds like Bohm will need to keep his first basemans glove handy. Of course, hes already learned how quickly plans can change.
