Alec Bohm has come a long way since his long-awaited debut in 2020 when he batted an impressive .338 in just 44 games. His offense has had ups and downs with the adjustment to major league pitching while his fielding was still... something left to be desired.
Bohm's career took an early pivot with his infamous "I f***ing hate this place" game back in April 2022 after three throwing errors in the game. Since then, Bohm has taken strides at the hot corner and has held his own defensively since.
One key metric that explains Alec Bohm's impressive evolution as a hitter
There is also a major reason for his success and evolution as a hitter, which has led to him being the current league leader with 22 doubles in 2024. Bohm has found his power stroke with squaring up pitches to pull with conviction and driving the baseball into the gaps. Heading into Friday's game, he's slashing .308/366/.493 with 47 RBI (second in NL).
Bohm has found success pulling the ball to center and left-center field consistently at a higher exit velocity than in previous seasons, as MLB.com's Mike Petriello shared this week.
Interesting way to look at Alec Bohm's progression: he's really leaning into the power pull/center, and stopped trying to (or just 'doing it,' if not 'trying to,') hit hard oppo, because it wasn't really working.
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) May 29, 2024
[showing: exit velo] pic.twitter.com/vNm7tidq0a
Not only is he hitting the ball harder to left and center, but he's pulling it more often. He's up to a 35.7 percent pull rate from 28.3 percent in 2023.
So far, Bohm has proven and earned the starting third baseman job for the National League in this year's mid-summer classic in Arlington, Texas. His maturity has turned him into a beloved figure in Philadelphia as part of the Phillies Daycare squad.
The personality has also broken through and we've gotten to see the more light-hearted side of Alec, especially hearing about him and Brandon Marsh becoming roommates.
The Phillies have been in need of Bohm's production since Trea Turner went on the IL with a hamstring injury that has kept him out most of the month of May. Bohm has taken over the cleanup spot in the lineup and has come through by hitting at a .390 clip with runners in scoring position (RISP).
Alec Bohm is CLUTCH. pic.twitter.com/03H5kpMZlL
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 4, 2023
We should come to expect similar production going forward with Bohm's new identity at the plate.