Bryson Stott: Phillies 2021 Minor League Player Of The Year
Pickings were slim for standouts in the Phillies system in 2021, but the organization had one who was quite impressive.
Shortstop Bryson Stott opened at High-A Jersey Shore and played his way to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. In 112 games, he hit .299/.390/.486 with 26 doubles, 16 home runs and 49 RBIs. He struck out 108 times and walked 65.
“He played consistently great baseball all season long on both sides of the ball,” Phillies general manager Sam Fuld said.
The Phillies’ infield plans for 2022 are unsettled. The 24-year-old Stott could be in play at shortstop, third base or second base before the year is out.
“Keep swinging and playing defense,” Stott said. “You’ve got to hit and play defense to move. You’ve got to earn it. I feel like I really made strides this season in knowing my strike zone and using the whole field.”
The lefthanded-hitting Stott, a 2019 first-rounder out of Nevada-Las Vegas, has a .298 batting average and a .390 on-base percentage in 584 professional at-bats.
Most of Stott’s time this season was spent at shortstop, though he did play five games at third base in late August, which coincided with Alec Bohm’s demotion to Triple-A. Bohm, the No. 3 overall pick in 2018, was the Phillies’ regular third baseman for four-plus months. He still has an important place in the club’s future, but it could be at first base.
Stott, meanwhile, is ready to play wherever he’s needed.
“The more positions you play, the better your chances are,” he said. “To be able to play all three infield positions is big. I enjoy moving around. I’ll do whatever I can to get here.”
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Stott looked to build on his strong season in the Arizona Fall League, where he expects to get time all over the infield. When he needs mentoring, he can reach out to fellow Las Vegas native Bryce Harper.
The two were roommates in spring training. Soon, they could be teammates.
PHIL-UPS
— Stott was honored with the Paul Owens award as the top position player in the Phillies system.
— Righthander Jean Cabrera won the Owens award on the pitching side. In his first pro season, the 19-year-old Venezuelan recorded a 1.54 ERA in 13 starts in the Dominican Summer League. He posted a 0.84 WHIP while holding opponents to a .185 average.
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