Phillies No. 3-ranked prospect Bryson Stott staying positive
By Matt Rappa
The Phillies’ Bryson Stott is staying focused despite not having an MiLB season
A little over one year ago, the Philadelphia Phillies drafted shortstop Bryson Stott 14th overall in the amateur draft out of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
After playing just four games for the GCL Phillies East, Stott quickly advanced to the Williamsport Crosscutters, where in 44 games he slashed .274/.370/.446 with 15 extra-base hits, 24 RBI, 22 walks and 39 strikeouts spanning 182 plate appearances.
Fast-forward to 2020, and the 22-year-old is without a minor-league baseball season to continue his professional baseball development. Also, he is not among the 50-plus players invited to the Phillies’ summer camp in South Philadelphia.
RELATED | Phillies: Bohm, Howard, Stott among MLB Top 100 Prospects
Yet, Stott, the team’s No. 3 ranked prospect, is trying to stay positive, while continuing to stay in baseball shape with the resources he has near his Las Vegas home. He recently told KLAS-LV (CBS) that he has been using an area batter’s box in recent months.
“I’ve been coming to the Vegas Valley batter’s box for the last two months. It’s awesome having resources all around town,” said Stott, who is still getting used to the current situation.
“Growing up, you look forward to the weekends and mid-week little league games,” he said. “Going to college, you played Tuesday and Wednesday. You played Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.”
https://twitter.com/bryson_stott10/status/1279538267906433024
For Stott, not having baseball on July 4 was something he has not experienced for nearly a decade. And, it was just the second time since 1871, and the first time since 1981, that Major League Baseball did not have game action on the holiday.
“I haven’t had a Fourth of July at home in probably seven or eight years,” Stott told KLAS-LV. “I’ve always played. Being around my friends and family this amount is something I really haven’t had.”
Despite the pause in play, Stott is still keeping in close contact with those in the organization, including fellow Las Vegas native Bryce Harper.
RELATED | Phillies prospect Bryson Stott homers in GCL debut
“I talk to a bunch of those guys still that were on my team at Williamsport, and some of the guys that are at the higher levels, from being in the system, I got pretty close with,” Stott told KLAS-LV. “It’s kind of just, ‘What did you do today? How are you feeling?’ We’ll talk every day.”
Stott recognizes the current situation going on in the world, and is looking forward to when he can return to the field with his teammates once again.
“We joke around and say my first year and a half has been a breeze because I’ve only played 40 games,” Stott said.
“It sucks not being able to play, but the health and safety of everybody in America and around the world is of the utmost importance.”