2. Alec Bohm, third base
It’s pretty remarkable how Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm has turned his season around at the plate — as well as in the field through spectacular plays almost seen on a nightly basis.
On June 12, the 2020 National League Rookie of the Year Award finalist had a season-low .246 batting average. Since then, Bohm has raised the figure 46 points to an impressive .292.
In the past 10 games — when the Phillies have gained some separation in the National League Wild Card standings — the former third overall pick is slashing .326/.356/.512 with 10 singles, two doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI, one walk, and just seven strikeouts spanning 45 plate appearances.
Alec Bohm's .341 batting average since Bryce Harper's injury ranks 2nd in the National League, behind only Freddie Freeman
— Corey Seidman (@CSeidmanNBCS) August 23, 2022
J.T. Realmuto's .582 slugging percentage over that span is 4th in the NL behind Goldschmidt, Arenado and Austin Riley
Bohm is currently on a six-game hitting streak — slashing .400/.444/.680 with a pair of home runs and 10 RBI. He and Nick Castellanos are tied for the team lead with 129 hits this season, which ranks as the ninth-most in the National League behind Freddie Freeman (156), Trea Turner (155), Paul Goldschmidt (151), Dansby Swanson (143), Austin Riley (138), Nolan Arenado (132), Francisco Lindor (131), and Manny Machado (131).
While Bohm is not a power-hitting third baseman like Machado — who the Phillies came close to signing following the 2018 season before ultimately inking Bryce Harper — he is great at “keeping the line moving” by getting on base by any means possible.
It’s hard to believe that way back on April 11, Bohm once said that he “ hate this place,” as it relates to playing in South Philadelphia. Fast-forward to late August, Bohm is once again viewed as a key piece in the short- and long-term future of the franchise.