PHILADELPHIA— In his third big league season, many expected Bryson Stott to break out in 2024.
Playing on a roster with all-stars and MVP candidates, it appeared after the 2023 season that Bryson would continue to grow as a player. He finished as the runner-up for the Gold Glove at second base, hit .280 on the season, and accumulated a 4.2 fWAR season.
Last year, the big leap never came. Stott regressed from his sophomore season and played closer to his rookie marks. He hit just .245 on the year, a 35-point decrease in his batting average. Despite his outstanding defense, Bryson’s performance at the plate often felt lacking. While his overall numbers deflated, there were still some positives that left 2024. Stott continued to come through in some big moments, like his go-ahead RBI triple in Game 2 of the NLDS that saw the Phillies come from behind and defeat the New York Mets.
Bryson Stott will look to bounce back in 2025. In order for him to do so, he needs to get back in the lab.
Stott’s Struggles
One of the glaring issues in Bryson Stott’s game last season was his lack of exit velocity. The second baseman was unable to make hard contact, resulting in fewer hits overall. While you don’t always need to hit the ball 100 miles per hour to get a knock, it certainly helps.
Stott’s struggles with barreling the baseball weren’t just a standout in Philadelphia. He finished last season with the 13th fewest balls hit over 95 miles per hour. A hard hit, per FanGraphs, is a ball put in play over 95 mph. Bryson had just 130 balls that went over his mark. He ranked 10th lowest on the hard-hit percentage for his season, with just 30.8% of his hits reaching this threshold. From 2023 to 2024, the ball came off his bat 1 mile per hour less, finishing the season at 87.1 mph.
Again, hitting a baseball hard does not guarantee a hit. But when you compare these numbers to Alec Bohm, for example, it shows a glaring difference. Bohm hit 214 balls over the minimum while finishing with a hard-hit percentage of 45.1%. Alec shares a similar approach at the plate to Bryson, two players who aim to make contact rather than hit for power.
One of the factors that played a role in decreasing statistics was where Bryson was hitting the baseball. When Stott would hit the ball in the air, his batting average was just .122. When he hit the ball on the ground, his average was .271, much closer to his 2023 mark. Line drives delivered as well, as Bryson hit .663 when he was able to get a ball ripped on a line.
A running joke for Bryson Stott’s teammate Johan Rojas is to hit the ball on the ground. Rojas has elite speed that can allow him to use his legs to earn hits. Based on his numbers, Stott should follow a similar philosophy in 2025. Less launch angle, a more even swing, and quicker hands should result in more hits, higher exit velocity, and overall success.
Shining in the Clutch
Even though it was not the season he was looking for, Bryson Stott did have some positive takeaways.
He was one of the most clutch hitters in all of Major League Baseball in 2024. Stott ranked 17th in FanGraph’s clutch rating with a 1.02 overall score. That was the highest mark on the Phillies this season, beating out Alec Bohm (.80) and Kyle Schwarber (.68). The best mark in baseball was held by Brandon Nimmo of the Mets with a 2.62 score.
As previously mentioned, Bryson’s hit against the Mets in the National League Divisional Series helped the Phillies even the series. While the remainder of their season did not pan out the way anyone had hoped, Stott gave his team a boost when they needed it the most. He has proven to come through in big spots, especially in the postseason. Despite overall struggles, it was positive to see his clutch gene take another step forward.
Ironically, even though he wasn’t hitting the ball better, the Phillies’ second baseman was seeing it much clearer out of a pitcher’s hand. In 2024, Bryson’s walk percentage jumped from 6.1% to 9.3%. He had 53 total walks, which was the most of his young career. This rose from 39 walks in 2023.
Lastly, being a threat on the basepaths shined again. He stole 32 bags, one more than in his previous season. In both years he was thrown out 3 times, but adding the extra base shows that he is going to continue to be aggressive. Being a weapon on the basepaths is another notch in his tool belt and a positive skill to build upon.
What’s Next?
Moving on from 2024 and growing in 2025 will be pivotal for both Bryson Stott and the Phillies. The team has World Series aspirations and expects their club to surpass their previous attempts at a championship. The Phillies have gone backward since 2022, and the pressure will be on to add to John Middleton‘s trophy case.
One of the ways they can get closer to their goal is if Bryson Stott can return to his 2023 form. Improving his offense and continuing his stellar defense can help usher the National League East champs to eternal glory. While it will be a team effort, Bryson’s contributions can help expand the Phillies lineup and take pressure off players like Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Nick Castellanos.
Bryson Stott has proven he can be a great major league baseball player in the past. He will have to prove it once again in 2025.
Mandatory Photo Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
