The Philadelphia Phillies enter the break at 48-41, in a position to compete for one of the Wild Card spots the rest of the season. We decided to put on our teacher’s hats and hand out mid-season grades for all the Phillies players – report card style. Which infielders are taking home honors, and which are barely passing?
J.T. Realmuto: B
Over the past few seasons, J.T. Realmuto has truly earned the moniker BCIB, or Best Catcher In Baseball. Whether it’s wearing his gear behind the plate or stepping up to the dish with a bat in his hand, JT makes an impact every inning.
He started the season with a hot bat, batting .281 with three home runs, seven doubles, and five steals through the first month of the season. Although the average hasn’t recovered, his propensity for extra-base hits has continued. Realmuto already has 20 doubles (26 all of last season) and has tied his 2022 number in triples with a National League-leading five in the first half. He is slashing .249/.307/.460 in the first half, throwing in 10 steals for good measure.
Garrett Stubbs: B
Garrett Stubbs knows his role, but does not shut his mouth. He is a positive clubhouse presence and brings great vibes to the team. Stubbs may be more well known as team DJ, but when he gets playing time he does what you expect from your backup catcher. His defense is above average, and his offensive numbers are in-line with his career averages. Not more you can ask for.
Alec Bohm: A-
Alec Bohm has been one of the most consistent hitters on the Phillies this season. The free swinger is slashing .280/.328/.426 so far, and leads the team in RBIs (57) despite a stint on the injured list, driven by a Phillies-leading .364 batting average with runners in scoring position.
Coming into the season, Bohm was the starting third baseman. Due to numerous injuries, Bohm has actually spent more time at first base this season which has helped with the overall defense on the infield for Philadelphia.
Darick Hall: Incomplete
If you went to college and didn’t “finish on time” like me, then you are likely familiar with an incomplete grade. Darick Hall just hasn’t had enough time to earn a grade – positive or negative. With just 40 plate appearances in 12 games under his belt in the first half due to injury, Hall’s playing time in the second half is uncertain at the moment. The key will be the health and effectiveness of Bryce Harper trying out first base Will Hall man first base regularly, moving Bohm back to primary third baseman? Or will he be relegated to the bench, filling in for Bryce Harper when he needs a day off?
Kody Clemens: C
Kody Clemens did what a replacement player does. He did a fine job filling in when the Phillies depth at first base was obliterated by injuries at the start of the season. The Phillies were figuring out platoon and position options throughout the start of the season, and Clemens was thrust into almost a starter role for the majority of the first half. The son of ‘The Rocket’ was recently sent down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley as the health of the ball club has improved, but he made the most of his time while in the majors.
Clemens slashed .230/.277/.367 with 4 home runs and 13 RBIs. He also provided some fun moments for Phillies fans, including leading the league in pitching appearances by non-pitchers, with four. And, this exciting catch:
Bryson Stott: A
Bryson Stott switched to second base this season after the signing of shortstop, Trea Turner. The former first-round pick has evolved from top prospect to everyday player well in his second season in the big leagues. For a large chunk of the first half, Stott was actually hitting leadoff and while that started strong, his numbers dipped a bit. Since moving down further in the lineup, he has been a model of consistency.
Overall, the second baseman is slashing .301/.338/.422 with 24 extra-base hits. Stott is tied with his teammate Nick Castellanos for fifth in the National League in batting average.
Josh Harrison: D+
Josh Harrison has brought a lot to teams over his career. This season, offense is not one of them. He’s known as a great clubhouse guy, and his veteran leadership is invaluable. The utility man has logged time at second, third, left field, right field, and even made two appearances on the mound. Harrison has produced a .219/.274/.313 line, with 2 home runs and 10 RBIs.
Edmundo Sosa: C-
Like Clemens, Edmundo Sosa has had to play much more than anyone anticipated in the first half as the team navigated injuries. Sosa has played third base, shortstop, and even played an inning in center field. The utility man is slashing .244/.263/.406. He has 6 home runs and 19 RBIs. He got a ‘-‘ because the often described ‘defensive replacement’ has seven errors in the first half, the second most he’s had in a season in his career.
Trea Turner: C-
The big Phillies offseason signing came into 2023 with lofty expectations. Trea Turner has not lived up to the hype thus far in a Phillies uniform. Fair or not, there are high expectations when you sign a contract that massive. Turner is underperforming no matter how you look at it, as he also has 10 errors in the first half. That is tied for sixth most in the majors.
Turner is slashing .247/.299/.389, well below his career averages, and there were minimal signs of the pop he showed during the World Baseball Classic through the first two months. He has started to step up a bit since the start of June, batting .266 with five home runs, 17 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases. Hopefully for Phillies fans, he is just warming up.
AP Photo/Derik Hamilton
