When the Phillies drafted Bryson Stott in the 2019 MLB Draft, on-field expectations were high for the shortstop. While Stott hasn’t had the opportunity to make that on-field impact, he has made sure to be impactful to those around him.
Stott, 23, is a Las Vegas area native having attended Desert Oasis High School. Starting in Fall 2016, Stott attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He quickly made a difference, becoming the starting shortstop during his freshman year. Then, in 2019, the Phillies drafted him 14th overall in the MLB draft. This holiday season, Stott decided to give back to the city that made him.
Giving Back
On Wednesday, Stott went to social media asking for donations to his personal Venmo for a fundraiser to benefit families in the Las Vegas area. The prospect used the money on Sunday to take families shopping at Target for gifts, food, and whatever else the families needed.
Stott’s Venmo received just over $3,000 over the course of the week. Stott used the money to buy $500 Target gift cards for six Las Vegas families. While the families shopped, Stott went around and “stole” larger items from each of their carts and purchased them himself. These items included a basketball hoop, Apple Airpods, and protein for high school athletes.
During the 2020 season, Stott and other Phillies minor leaguers earned $400 per week in-season. Minor leaguers only get paid during the season, meaning they will not be paid again until at least April 2021. That goes to say that Stott is not making much money right now himself. So, he looked to his followers to help him make an impact. rallying people from Las Vegas to Philadelphia and everywhere in between to make it happen. It is amazing to see professional athletes using their platform to make a difference in the lives of others.
While Stott may not have reached the MLB level with friend (and fellow Fortnite streamer) Bryce Harper, Stott has already demonstrated that you don’t need to be a big leaguer to make a big-league impact.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
