Phillies news: Bryson Stott promoted to Double-A Reading

A former Philadelphia Phillies first-round pick is climbing his way up the organization’s farm system. Las Vegas, Nevada, native Bryson Stott — the 14th overall pick from the 2019 draft — was promoted to Double-A Reading on Tuesday.

Former Phillies first-round pick Bryson Stott is one step closer to the show.

Stott had a stellar month of May playing for the newly renamed Jersey Shore BlueClaws, the Phillies’ Advanced-A affiliate. Through 22 games and 95 plate appearances, the 23-year-old slashed .288/.453/.548 with 18 runs scored, 12 singles, four doubles, five home runs, 10 RBI, 22 walks, and 22 strikeouts. He also successfully logged three stolen bases out of five attempts. In his most recent game for the BlueClaws on Saturday, Stott went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, one home run, two RBI, and a strikeout.

Stott’s .453 on base-percentage led all of High-A East, and his 22 walks through May 31 impressively ranked eighth among players throughout all of Minor League Baseball.

Stott played both shortstop and second base — signaling that the Phillies are far from certain that Didi Gregorius and Jean Segura are lock-term locks at the respective positions. Stott was perfect through 55 innings and 26 chances at second base (six games), but recorded a pair of errors in 136 1/3 innings and 52 chances at shortstop (16 games).

As the BlueClaws note, Stott was the 12th former first-round pick to play in a BlueClaws uniform, joining Gavin Floyd, Cole Hamels, Greg Golson, Kyle Drabek, Anthony Hewitt, Jesse Biddle, JP Crawford, Cornelius Randolph, Mickey Moniak, Adam Haseley, and Alec Bohm.

Stott is currently ranked as the No. 2-best prospect in the Phillies farm system, trailing only fellow former first-round pick RHP Mick Abel. MLB Pipeline describes the left-handed-hitter as having the ability to make contact and use all fields, as well as “an advanced approach at the plate that enabled him to walk more than he struck out in college.”

The Phillies could use another homegrown player at the big-league level, to complement Aaron Nola and Alec Bohm, among others. Perhaps, Stott will find big-league playing time as soon as next season.