The Phillies will carry top shortstop prospect Bryson Stott on the Opening Day roster, the team informed reporters (including Todd Zolecki of MLB.com). They’ll need to clear a spot for him on the 40-man roster before Thursday’s game. The team will also carry third baseman Alec Bohm on the big league club. Matt Gelb of the Athletic wrote yesterday that keeping both players on the roster was under consideration.
The pair of young infielders figure to see a good bit time together on the left side of the infield. Stott, presumably, will play regularly at shortstop. Bohm figures to handle the hot corner on most days, getting another crack to take hold of the position after a sophomore slump saw him optioned to Triple-A late last season.
It’ll be the first MLB look for Stott, whom the Phils selected 14th overall out of UNLV in the 2019 draft. The left-handed hitting infielder was regarded as a well-rounded shortstop prospect coming out of college, and he moved fairly quickly up the minor league ladder. Stott mashed in the low minors late in 2019, and he picked up where he left off last year after the canceled minors season.
The 24-year-old tallied 351 plate appearances with Double-A Reading, hitting .301/.368/.481 with ten homers. Stott posted solid walk and strikeout numbers and earned a late-season bump to Triple-A. Despite playing in only ten games with Lehigh Valley, he’ll step up to the major league level.
Each of Baseball America, The Athletic, ESPN, MLB Pipeline and FanGraphs placed Stott among the game’s top 100 prospects this offseason. FanGraphs was the most bullish of the group, ranking him the #34 prospect in the sport. General consensus among evaluators is that he’ll be a productive everyday player in the near future. Stott doesn’t get overwhelming grades for any of his physical tools, but he’s seen as a polished defensive shortstop with good bat-to-ball skills and average or better raw power.
Stott’s promotion figures to result in less playing time for incumbent shortstop Didi Gregorius. The Phils brought back the veteran on a two-year deal last offseason, but his 2021 production was disappointing. Gregorius hit just .209/.270/.370 in 103 games. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski acknowledged at the start of the offseason the 32-year-old wouldn’t be guaranteed the primary shortstop job, pointing to Stott as a possible internal alternative.
Jean Segura is lined up as the everyday second baseman, and carrying Stott and Bohm could push Gregorius into a utility role. The Phils also signed Johan Camargo to a one-year deal this winter, giving manager Joe Girardi a few options for juggling playing time. Much figures to depend on how well Stott and Bohm start the season. Bohm, a former #3 overall pick and top prospect, had an excellent rookie showing in 2020 but is coming off a season (.247/.305/.342) not too much stronger than Gregorius’. He still has a pair of minor league option years remaining, increasing the pressure to stake a claim to the everyday third base job early in the season.
As a consensus Top 100 prospect, Stott’s immediate big league promotion could result in the Phils accruing some extra draft capital down the line. The new collective bargaining agreement includes the so-called Prospect Promotion Incentive, a feature that could entitle the Phils to a bonus selection in the amateur or international drafts (if the international draft is ultimately instituted) depending upon his finishes in Rookie of the Year or MVP voting before he reaches arbitration eligibility.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Expected but still good news
A gregarious answer.
Stott being on the roster was expected.
I thought there was a chance that Bohm would be sent to the minors for a while.
AYYO. just hope we dont DFA anyone important.
No, relax, Phillies are keeping Ronald Torreyes. He will just start in the minors for a little bit.
The issue wouldn’t be Torreyes – he’s not on the 40-man. The issue would be the fact that the 40-man is full, and Stott isn’t on it yet. Someone has to be cleared to fit Stott – who will that be?
Okay.
He earned it, hope he produces this year.
I was a bit nervous they wouldn’t call him up with service time manipulation and all that, but this is the right move. Instantly improves the Phillies offense and defense.
From Girardi’s comments, it didn’t seem to imply that Stott would take over shortstop but rather that there would be plenty of at bats given matchups and time off for all the middle infielders.
Agreed, not sure where this speculation came from as there’s no source and no mention of Didi, who has had a solid spring especially defensively.
Yesterday’s article said 3 starts each at 3B, spell someone else 2 days, giving each 5 days a week starting during the first 2 weeks when the Phils play 13 games in 14 days. Makes the most sense to do it that way.
Didi has hit and fielded better than Bohm so far this spring and Stott has done well enough at 3B.
I mentioned in the offseason that Did had gout in one of his feet last year. That is incredibly painful, and one could see it was affecting his ability to move on D, as well as to plant when readying to throw. Also couldn’t anchor himself in the batters box.
Everyone ragged on him, but I figured he had to get better in 2022. He has looked better physically in ST. How that will translate to production once the season opens is at issue. It appears for sure he’ll be better – how much better is the question.
Didn’t he have pseudogout in his elbow? Not foot gout
Edit:just checked. It was his elbow.
Turns out it was bone spurs and he had them surgically removed.
Why did MLB the show make him look like he weighs 280?
Happy for him. I wanted the Twins to draft him but instead they took Cavaco, a lesser hitter.
Actually Didi will be at short while bohm and stott will share 3b. Stott might play ss some days
Bye odubel.
This doesn’t impact Odubel at all. Odubel is one of our better CF options along with Vierling. So he’s not going anywhere.
He’s the only guy on the 40 that I don’t care to lose. He is expendable now.
I don’t see how two IF make an OF expendable. It’s not related. Herrera is definitely not expendable until they find another CF option.
They have Vierling and Moniak. They need to make room on the 40 for Stott. There is no rule that says they have to remove an infielder. They just need the spot.
Who would tou remove? It cant be a pitcher given that they have 13 straight games with injury concerns with a few key relievers. Maybe Maton but there goes a good utility option. Marchan? O ly if he’s traded.
Herrera is currently on the IL. So they’ll have to remove someone else anyway. Nick Maton seems like the odd man out here.
Heres the solution…Move odubel to the 60-day and give his spot to Stott. He stays there until he needs to be activated for injuries or something. Of course I’m sure that would end with a grievance being filed.
Ya, this isn’t exactly correct. They will share time at third with Bohm riding the pine most days, while Didi will get some days off vs LHP. At least to start the season. We’ll see what happens as things pan out.
keeping Stott on MLB roster is great. They need to make sure the kid gets his at-bats.
They’ll play Didi at short most days and hope to deal him.
Didi is on the trading block.
Expecting a steady rotation of Bohm, Stott and Didi. If they can deal Didi or he or Bohm fall on their face expect Stott to start at 3B/SS. Of course if Stott falls on their face the Phillies left side of the infield is REALLY in trouble. Even if Stott is a meh .230 hitter I would keep him in just to improve the team’s horrible defense.
The Philadelphia Phillies are the worst defensive team in Major League Baseball. They keep trying to trick the fan base into thinking they are contenders. No way to contend with this defense!
How exactly are they tricking the fan base?
…just mute him…angry and alone is my guess.
You mean a better defense than last year? Get a clue.
Name 1 team that Philly has a worse defense than Philly????? That’s right ….. Doesn’t exist. Philly is easily the worst! Don’t get mad at me. I am not the reason why you have an outfield that features Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos. Whole lotta balls they ain’t even gonna try to get to. Left side of the infield Boehm and Stott????? Moving Segura to 2b … LMAO …. Every year Philly spends a whole bunch of money and EVERY year they finish at or below .500. LMAO ….. and you guys want to get mad at me!
If they score 8 runs a game WGAF? I like good defense, but you guys are carrying on like they’re the Bad News Bears pre-Amanda.
@Very Barry Phillies defense is weak, but you’re just stating hyperbolic nonsense as facts. Defensive runs saved isn’t the only important defensive stat, but yes the Phillies defense is bad. It was bad in 2021. It’ll be bad again in 2022, but slightly better IMO.
In a league that is shifting more and more to a three outcome game of homer, walk, strikeout, tell me how bringing in 2 high obp power bats is a bad thing? How important is defense during a walk, homer, or strikeout?
Didi to the Angels for a bag of Big League Chew?
Didi is still going to be the starting SS this year. Stott will take most of his reps at third and the bench, and fill in for guys when they get days off. If Didi has a solid year then perhaps he becomes tradable….for a bag of Big League Chew.
You’re happy with Didi Gregorious as your SS???? He is a bottom 5 Shortstop in the NL right now.
He had a good spring. Looks much better. It’s Stott’s future role, but Phillies have to use Didi for now. Me being happy with it has nothing to do with it. I think the Phillies best infield option would be Stott at 3rd, Didi SS, Segura 2nd, Hoskins 1st. It isn’t pretty.
Can I add Hoskins to that deal and hope to get along with the big league chew Albert Pujols’s old equipment bag
The Hoskins hate I will never understand.
He’s a terrible 1B, and hurts the team there. Would be a nice part-time DH, but they now have 3 other guys like him.
He did a nice job hitting behind Harper last year. I’m not a big stat guy but his OPS has been .850 or above 4 of his 5 seasons – the other season was .819. He seems it be a nice middle of the order run producer.
P.S. He’s pretty much Alonso.
Exactly. I make that comp often. Terrible fielder, but great offensive weapon. Gets on base a ton. Goes on hot streaks. There’s no real reason for Phillies fans to be down on Hoskins. He’s a one-way player, but you know what you’re getting.
@ Rsox;
Didi has a $15m-or-so contract.
No team in MLB eats any of that until they see him play for a few months. And even then the prorated amount due may scare teams off.
Didi will remain with the Phillies for a good portion of the season. If they have another SS that’s doing well and need his roster space they’ll release him at that point.
Bidding against themselves …. Philly grossly overpaid for Didi and now they are stuck with him. Philly actually thought pairing a washed Andrew McCutcheon with Harper was gonna work in the outfield. LMAO. Miami thinks Sandy Alcantara is gonna be an All-Star this year. Team signs Kyle Schwarber as DH which means your 31-year-old catcher, J.T. Realmuto is blocked by Schwarber from getting time at DH, so he can bat and get some rest for his aging knees. Shortening the amount of productivity your 31-year-old catcher has left. Realmuto is the only good defensive player on the team.
@ Very Barry;
Why waste your time with the Phillies?
Wat team do you follow?
I am a well-known fan of the White Sox. I do follow ALL of the teams pretty hard though and have definite thoughts. I truly believe Philly is one of the worst run teams in Major League Baseball.
Dave Dombrowski was hired as President of Baseball Operations 1 year ago.
DD is reorganizing and restructing the Front Office, the Farm System and the Phillies baseball team top to bottom.
Dombrowksi is a winner everywhere he has worked in the Front Office:
Montreal, Miami, Detroit, Boston and not Philadelphia.
Phillies will be in pennant contention this year.
I expect they make the playoffs as either the Division winner
or one of the Wild Card teams.
Once they are in the playoffs, then anything can happen.
The Braves and other teams have proven that any team that makes
the playoffs is a contender to Win the World Series.
I’m glad they haven’t given up on Bohm. Look at Austin Riley – fellow 3B from the same division even – finally came into his own last year and in a big way! No reason Bohm couldn’t break out like that.
Nice to finally see some of the hyped youngsters on the roster – would hate to leave Maton unprotected, he’s played well in his limited time in the bigs. Moniak in centerfield, and exhibiting power, is a godsend.
DiDi has been moving around short this spring much better than we saw last year..that alone is a plus..I still am amazed at the Rhys Hoskins negativity..he is a force in that lineup..he makes pitchers work and gets on base..that’ll be huge with this lineup…just to be clear, the outfield D is only because of range, not catching and throwing the ball….Schwarber, Castillanos and Harper all have very strong arms…
While the D is not considered good, it’s not all doom and gloom…to me, the two weakest D spots are 3rd and 1st…I understand that they have been giving extra infield instructions to Bohm…hopefully that pays off..he’ll never be Mike Schmitt…but, if he just makes the plays at him, that will work..
D could be upgraded with a trade for a two way CF.
Cedrick Mullins (Orioles)
OR
Bryan Reynolds (Pirates)
would be huge improvements on Phillies OF defense (and offense).
Not sure what it would take to land one of those 2 CFs.
It could be worth it if the price is right.
Didi 3B or DH
Stott @ SS
If Didi hits and plays decent D, then he could be traded in June or July.
Hey Very Barry, why not let us Phillies fans enjoy what appears to be one of the more exciting philly baseball teams in recent years? Those of us who have stayed with the Phils are feeling better this year. Can you go make other folks miserable if that’s what turns you on? The White Sox have a good team. Enjoy them and leave us alone!