Phillies: Answering the 3 biggest questions of the offseason

What can the Phillies do about Alec Bohm?

Alec Bohm was the NL Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2020, and then totally fell apart in 2021.

Of course, he played in more than twice as many games in his second season, but the collapse was due to more than a larger sample size:

2020 (44 games): .338/.400/.481, .881 OPS, 11 doubles, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 1 SB, 16 BB, 36 strikeouts

2021 (115 games): .247/.305/.342, .647 OPS, 15 doubles, 7 HR, 47 RBI, 4 SB, 31 walks, 111 strikeouts

Whereas Bohm had a well-above-average OPS+ in 2020 (137), his numbers were far below average (75) this season. He looked absolutely lost at the plate.

Defensively, the Phillies finished last in defensive runs saved (-53), and Bohm’s 15 errors were tied for third among MLB third basemen. However, when asked if the Phillies were planning on moving Bohm to another position, i.e. left field, Dombrowski issued a flat-out “no.”

In addition to his on-field struggles, Bohm was one of several Phillies who contracted COVID and missed significant playing time. The Phillies’ inability to get even 50% of their squad vaccinated this year led to numerous players being unable to contribute to their team, as well as risking the health and safety of those around them.

While the Phillies have become known for struggling to develop players, Bohm was absolutely soaring in 2020, and his struggles in his first full season are on both him and the organization. If they cannot figure him out in 2022, it will be an embarrassing failure for all parties.