Phillies 2023 MVP: Ranking the top 5 Most Valuable Phillies position players

No. 1: Bryson Stott, 3.9 fWAR

Before the season, if you took a poll of who the most valuable Phillies position player would be, it would be hard to imagine Bryson Stott being at the top of most people's lists. With names like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and J.T. Realmuto filling out the lineup, Stott would have been lucky to crack the top three.

But here we are.

After six months of regular season baseball, the 26-year-old Stott sits at the top of the pile with a 3.9 WAR. That ranks him sixth among National League second basemen.

In just his second year in the league, Stott put together an impressive .280/.329/.419 slash line, swatted 15 home runs, drove in 62, scored 78 times, and stole 31 bases in 151 games. He showed patience and discipline at the plate, running a 15.6 percent strikeout rate, improving on his 19.1 percent mark from his rookie year.

Stott was a consistent, stable performer throughout the season. He helped stabilize the offense while other higher-paid and more experienced players got their games in order for the final stretch drive of the season.

While the former first-round draft pick had a respectable 6.2 offensive rating, his value was really carried by his base running, with a 5.3 BsR, and his defense. His 11.2 defensive rating placed him first among qualified NL second basemen. Even Harper emphatically told everyone who would listen that Stott is the best second baseman in the league.

The slick-fielding Stott was named a Gold Glove award finalist, and the advanced metrics bear out that honor. He finished third among NL second basemen with six DRS and ranked first with 16 OAA, 12 RAA, and a 4.9 UZR (ultimate zone rating).

Bryson Stott is the Most Valuable Phillies position player from 2023.

More Philadelphia Phillies news and analysis