There's been a lot said about the Philadelphia Phillies' inability to coax positive production out of anyone not named Bryce Harper or Kyle Schwarber this season. Even much-hyped trade deadline acquisition Luis Arraez is still trying to find his footing, submitting an 82 wRC+ through his first two weeks and change with the team.
Amidst all those struggles, it's important not to lose sight of the "other" players who are doing everything they can to keep this ship afloat. Harper and Schwarber may be leading the roster in most offensive categories, but even they're looking up at one Bryson Stott in the fWAR game.
Yes, Stott derives a lot of his value from exemplary defense and creating havoc on the basepaths, but he's also experiencing a renaissance at the plate in 2026; he's walking, barreling the ball, and hitting it hard more frequently than ever. Naturally, he's working with the best OPS (.762) and wRC+ (110) marks of his career.
It's a well-timed breakout for the Phillies' sake as they push for a playoff spot, but it's also sure to help his bank account in the near future. With Stott due for free agency after the 2027 season, is it time for the front office to try and lock him down on an extension?
Bryson Stott's defensive wizardry makes him a perfect candidate to match Nico Hoerner's extension
Historical precedence is always helpful when trying to project contracts, but there are two factors we have to address first. One is obviously the impending lockout, which could throw every single contract negotiation around the league into complete chaos, depending on what gets ratified in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement. It's possible (if not likely) that the figures we're working with are completely outdated by the time baseball starts getting played in 2027.
The other pause-point is that Stott's defensive home is currently in flux. A sterling second baseman -- he's accrued +33 Outs Above Average and +8 Defensive Runs Saved there throughout his career -- the 28-year-old moved to the hot corner in order to accomodate Arraez's arrival earlier this month. And, wouldn't you know it, he's been superb there as well (+2 OAA, +3 DRS in 129 innings).
The difference in value between those two positions is notable; third base is generally considered a more valuable spot, and the largest contracts there dwarf the big money at the keystone. For that reason, the Phillies will try to negotiate with Stott as though he's still a full-timer at second base, though the versatility he's showing off right now will only help his case.
Thankfully, there's a recent example of a star second baseman signing a long-term contract, and he's got a very similar profile to the Phillies' star. Nico Hoerner not only thrives on a defense-and-speed skillset, but he was the same age as Stott when he inked his six-year, $141 million extension with the Chicago Cubs earlier this spring. His wRC+ last season (109) is also nearly identical to Stott's mark this year.
Hoerner does have more accolades (i.e., two Gold Gloves) than his keystone counterpart, but that shouldn't affect Stott's earning potential too much when he's the linchpin of a middling Phillies defense. Whether ownership will be willing to shell out another nine-figure contract to someone nearing their thirties is a valid question, but that's the price it's going to take to keep him in town for the foreseeable future.
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