Alec Bohm is set for a breakout season in 2021
Throughout the offseason, the main point of focus for the Phillies and fans alike was to re-sign JT Realmuto and Didi Gregorius. Next in line was to figure out what to do with the Phillies bullpen and pitching holes. The ball club, led by Dave Dombrowski was able to plug the majority of the holes that the Phillies needed answers to over the last 4-5 months.
Re-signing the best catcher in baseball and the shortstop that led the team with 40 RBI last season is huge. Not only do you bring back offensive firepower, but you help balance out your lineup. No one will benefit more from having Realmuto and Gregorius back than third baseman Alec Bohm.
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 slashed .338/.400/.481 with a .881 OPS in 44 games. He had four home runs, 11 doubles, and 23 RBIs in 160 at-bats.
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. Bohm finished second in Rookie of the Year voting. No Phillies rookie has taken home the award since 2005 when Ryan Howard won. There was a strong case for Bohm to win the award. He was one of the five best offensive third basemen in the entire league last season.
In 160 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. A strong showing from Bohm in 2021 and avoiding the classic “sophomore slump” could have the Phillies contending for a playoff position at the end of the year.
We should all be thankful that the Phillies avoided a lineup that included CJ Chatham at starting at shortstop and Andrew Knapp starting at catcher. The middle of the order for the Phillies will instead, include Bryce Harper, JT Realmuto, Didi Gregorius, Rhys Hoskins, and Alec Bohm.
Bohm has the skillset and the lineup surrounding him to ease the pressure of performing for a full season this year. Time will tell if it will translate into a breakout year for the Phillies’ young third baseman.
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Mandatory Credit: The Philadelphia Inquirer
[…] the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Philadelphia Phillies welcomed top prospect Alec Bohm to the big leagues. Bohm was the Phillies’ first-round draft pick in 2018 and was called up to […]