3 Players on short leashes as Phillies’ struggles continue
3. Bryson Stott INF
The only reason I’m putting Bryson Stott on this list is that he’s the youngest infielder on an overcrowded diamond, and while he’s been better defensively than Alec Bohm, Bohm is hitting better, which I don’t think anyone expected.
Stott has proven he can play third base in addition to shortstop, which will be great in the future. But while Bohm’s defense is terrible, so is the lineup right now, and he’s one of the only hitters getting the job done. So for now, the Phillies don’t look like they’re in a position to prioritize their prized rookie over the former rookie of the year runner-up. If they send Stott back to Triple-A, they’ll still have Bohm and Johan Camargo, who’s proven dependable at the hot corner.
Of course, it’s fair to assume that Stott learning a new position while simultaneously not getting regular playing time isn’t helping him find his groove at all, which is exactly what I worried about when Joe Girardi made his flippant-sounding comments about using the rookie wherever they need. For the umpteenth time, the Phillies need to rip the bandaid off, choose either Bohm or Stott, and send the other down to get regular playing time at Triple-A. Otherwise, neither will do well in the short or long term. It’s selfish of them to keep attempting this balancing act.
Stott looked ready all spring, and then he arrived on a big-league roster that wasn’t ready for him. That’s the front office’s fault, not his, but it’s currently not doing him any favors, either.
