2. Alec Bohm will cement himself as the Phillies’ future at the hot corner
Third baseman Alec Bohm is the real deal. The former No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft finished tied for second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting last season. He looked every bit as good as advertised. In 2020, Bohm slashed .338/.400/.481 with four home runs and 11 extra-base hits in 160 at-bats. These were marks that helped him lead all National League rookies with at least 100 plate appearances in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and hits.
Bohm might be due for some regression this season. In fact, he is probably even going to struggle at some point. Working through those low points is what will make him a better ballplayer. However, there is nothing to suggest he’s suddenly going to hit below the Mendoza line. On the contrary, he actually ended last season better than he started it — hitting .367/.421/.514 and three of his four dingers in the final month of the season. This past spring training, he’s done more of the same to the tune of .317/.417/.488 in 41 at-bats.
As great as Bohm was as a rookie, I fully expect him to cement himself as the brightest young star the Phillies have this season. He can be the kind of player they haven’t had at the hot corner since Scott Rolen, way back in the late 90s-early 2000s. I am fully expecting him to take another step forward in his first full Major League season.