Earlier in the week, Baseball America released its preseason top 100 prospect list. The Phillies found themselves with 2 players listed within the top 100. More importantly, both were listed among the top 30 prospects in all of baseball.
Alec Bohm came in at the 28th top prospect in baseball and Spencer Howard came in right ahead as the 27th.
On Saturday, MLB.com released its own preseason top 100 prospect list. To no surprise, both Bohm and Howard were listed. MLB.com must have been feeling generous as they listed a 3rd Phillies prospect on the list.
Bryson Stott came in at the 87th top prospect. He was the Phillies 14th overall draft pick in 2019. Between rookie and A- ball, Stott slashed .295/.391/.494 with 18 extra-base hits in just 48 games. At Williamsport, he posted a. .816 OPS. In 2020, Stott should see time at both Lakewood and Clearwater if all goes well.
While Spencer Howard was ranked higher than Bohm in Baseball America’s list, MLB.com wasn’t as kind. Howard came in as the 34th ranked prospect in baseball. His 7-spot difference could be because of how little Howard played in 2019. He made just 7 started in A+ and 6 in AA. What he did in those starts was special. Between both of those levels, Howard posted a 1.78 ERA in 65.2 IP with a minuscule WHIP of 0.807.
He was just as good in the Arizona Fall League. In six starts, Howard had a 2.11 ERA with 27 K in 21.1IP. A full year of Howard pitch could prove to be the most exciting for a Phillies prospect since Aaron Nola.
Alec Bohm rounded out the Phillies’ top prospects at #30. Like Howard, Bohm found success in multiple levels of the minors and in the AFL. Between A, A+, and AA ball, Bohm slashed .305/.378/.518 with 55 extra-base hits.
The most encouraging thing about Bohm is how he adjusted to the AA level. In his first 35 games, he hit .237 with a .297 OBP. Only his slugging was keeping him afloat. Things changed once August hit. In his last 28 games, Bohm hit .311 with a .936 OBP. AAA will be calling his name in 2020.
The prospect-rich AFL proved no match for Bohm either. There he slashed .361/.397/.528 in 19 games. The only thing that could hold Bohm back is his defense. A switch from 1st to 3rd could be coming in the near future.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
