Rob Thomson talks on Bryson Stott hitting leadoff, says he’ll return there tomorrow, could turn into a consistent thing
While the Phillies continue to struggle, Bryson Stott has been playing the best baseball of his career and has been the lone bright spot to the start of the 2023 season.
With his early season success, Rob Thomson will start using Stott in the leadoff spot of the lineup.
Rob Thomson on Bryson Stott in the Leadoff Spot
“It really lengthens the lineup and gives us two guys at the top now that can get on base, steal bases, create havoc. I’m just seeing Bryson’s at-bats and saying okay. He’s getting on base. He’s doing what Bryson can do. Let’s put him at the top and then we’ll get some of those sluggers in there behind him.
I’ve always thought that he kind of fits the mold of a leadoff guy,” Thomson said. “He sees a lot of pitches. He knows the strike zone. He uses the whole field. He can hit. He gets on base.” – Thomson ahead of Monday’s 15-3 win
The Phillies gave JT Realmuto a day off on Monday night, which prompted a shift in the lineup. Stott slid up to the leadoff spot, which pushed Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber down a spot in the lineup. Turner, who has all of the traits of a prime leadoff hitter, may see some more time in the 2-hole.
The loss of Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins has given Rob Thomson a challenge when it comes to the starting lineup. Kyle Schwarber hit 46 home runs in the leadoff spot last season, but the obvious move is to slide him back a few spots to give him more opportunities with runners on base.
Bryson Stott has torn the cover off the baseball in the first ten games of the season. He’s hit in 10 straight, two games shy of the all-time Phillies hit streak record to start a season (Gregorius, 11).
He’s logged seven multi-hit games and is hitting .415/.429/.488 in 41 at-bats.
Stott’s key to success this season is consistency in counts. He’s hitting the ball the best when falling behind, and when he’s ahead, he’s jumping all over the first pitch. He has a 1.000 OPS on 0-0 counts, while 11 of his 17 hits have all come with at least one strike.
Rob Thomson confirmed that although Bryson Stott isn’t in the leadoff spot tonight, he will return there tomorrow night.
The Phillies like what they see, and although it may seem like the wrong move, Jesus Luzardo is a 98-mph lefty, which is still a challenge for Stott compared to Trea Turner.
Phillies Starting Lineup vs Marlins
The Phillies go for the series win tonight with Aaron Nola on the mound.
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