There was much speculation heading into the 2025 season about the Philadelphia Phillies’ second base position. After an impressive 2023 season in which he hit 32 doubles and 15 home runs as the team’s full-time second baseman, Bryson Stott performed well below expectations in 2024.
Stott slashed .245/.315/.356 with a .671 OPS, 19 doubles and 11 home runs a season ago. His playing time diminished, falling into a platoon-type role with others.
Stott’s main competition at second base is Edmundo Sosa. The super utility man proved his worth in 2024, particularly when he took over at shortstop when Trea Turner missed over a month due to injury. Sosa appeared in 20 games at second base, including 17 starts for the Phillies last year. This season, Sosa has played in and started five games at second base and is batting .359 in 15 games.
Edmundo Sosa making the strongest case for playing Bryson Stott every day
Sosa started this season on fire. He produced five multi-hit games in his first six games, including a three-hit performance on April 2 against the Colorado Rockies. Sosa’s batting average was as high as .600, and he was being discussed as the best bench player in the majors.
Sosa’s incredible feat didn’t last long. The 29-year-old has fallen back to reality since April 5, owning a .208 batting average with no extra-base hits.
On the other hand, Stott has been one of the Phillies’ most reliable hitters. The left-handed hitter is slashing .275/.350/.404 with a .754 OPS, eight extra-base hits and 15 RBI. He had a .314 batting average in April, including eight multi-hit games.
Stott has started 27 out of the Phillies’ 32 games at second base. Not only is he getting the job done at the plate, but he’s a perfect 7-for-7 for stolen bases and is an above-average fielder. The 27-year-old owns a career .992 fielding percentage at second base, including a .982 percentage through the first month of the 2025 season.
The Phillies are chasing the New York Mets for first place in the NL East and seem to be back on track after a roughly two-week losing skid. Stott has been a key contributor to the team’s success and should be in the lineup every day.