Alec Bohm set to be a Top 3rd Baseman in the MLB in 2021

Alec Bohm did not win NL Rookie of the Year on Monday night. Instead the award went to Brewers reliever Devin Williams. The Brewers’ reliever appeared in 22 games and allowed just eight hits and one earned run over 27 innings. He struck out 53 of the 100 batters he face and walked just nine.
Yes. Devin Williams was dominant. He received 14 first-place votes, six second-place votes, and seven third place votes to finish with 95 points and the award.
Alec Bohm finished in second place behind Devin Williams with nine first-place votes, eight second place votes, and five third place votes to finish with 74 points.
That’s where I have a problem. This should have been much closer than the award numbers show.
Bohm received nine first-place votes, eight seconds and five thirds to finish with 74 points.
Bohm was the Phillies’ first-round draft pick in 2018 and was called up to the majors August 13th of last year. At 24 years old, he hit .338 with a .400 on-base percentage in 44 games. He had four home runs and 23 RBIs. They were the most by any National League rookie last season.
What’s even more impressive is that Bohm shined with runners on base. He led the majors with a .452 batting average (19 for 42) with runners in scoring position. His on-base percentage with RISP was .519 – good for third-best in the majors behind All-Star players Juan Soto and Freddie Freeman.
Unlike the rest of the Phillies, Bohm dominated in September hitting .367 with 40 hits. Those numbers are good for fifth and second best in Major League Baseball that month.
No Phillies rookie has taken home the award since 2005 when Ryan Howard won. The MLB owes Alec Bohm an apology. Bohm was one of the five best offensive third basemen in the entire league last season.
In 180 at-bats, here’s where Bohm ranked among MLB third basemen:
- 1st in BA
- 2nd in OBP
- 5th in SLG
- 4th in OPS
- 4th in wOBA
- 4th in wRC+
Defensively, Bohm definitely had some issues early but was able to find somewhat of a groove during the later part of the season. MLB Fan Graphs has Bohm ranked 20th defensively at third base. That will certainly improve next year.
Give Bohm a full offseason and some sense of normalcy in 2021 and he has the opportunity to be not only one of the best third basemen in the entire MLB, but one of the best players in Major League Baseball.