Phillies 2019 First Round Draft Pick: Bryson Stott
Pick: 14th overall
School: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Position: Shortstop
The only player selected in the first round of the previous five drafts to have made their major league debut, Bryson Stott is building the foundation for a long MLB career.
Coming out of UNLV, Stott ranked as the ninth-best prospect in what was a pretty loaded 2019 class. His initial comparisons saw shades of Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford with his ability to do everything above average while also playing a great defensive middle infield. Stott fell to No. 14 where the Phillies ultimately selected him.
The true shortstop-turned-second baseman tore up every level of the minor leagues in 2021 after the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19. In 112 games, Stott hit to an OPS of .876 which earned him a crack at third base on opening day over now All-Star Alec Bohm. After a slow start, the 26-year-old has developed a niche as an advanced bat-to-ball hitter with Gold Glove-caliber defense, earning him the everyday spot at second base.
Now in his third MLB season, Stott is providing positive value with a career 6.7 fWAR and countless memorable moments in not only the regular season but the postseason as well. Not often do players crack an MLB roster so quickly after being drafted. Stott has done that and more.
Grade: A-