Phillies could have promising new leadoff hitter
With a hit in all 12 games, Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott has earned the confidence of his manager. He may have earned a regular spot leading off, too.
In Monday's 15-3 win over Miami, Stott had two hits. Manager Rob Thomson moved him back down to eighth in the lineup in Tuesday's 8-4 loss to the Marlins, but the second baseman was back atop the lineup on Wednesday.
Trea Turner, whom the Phillies signed to an 11-year, $300 million deal during the offseason, has served as leadoff hitter in 10 games. While Turner will likely still spend a lot of time at atop of the lineup, Stott offers the Phillies a left-handed option against right-handed pitchers.
Stott, who was drafted in the first round by the Phillies in 2019, debuted in the major leagues last season. The former top-100 prospect struggled offensively, hitting .234 with a .653 OPS and 10 home runs.
If the Phillies keep Stott as their leadoff hitter, it would allow them to have a perfect parity of right-handed hitters and left-handed hitters at the top of the lineup when Bryce Harper returns from the injured list. He's rehabbing from Tommy John surgery during the offseason.
Turner would hit from the second spot with Harper, a lefty, and Nick Castellanos or J.T. Realmuto, both righties, hitting in the third and fourth spots.
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