Manager Joe Girardi told reporters before Sunday’s game that top prospect Bryson Stott could get a few more starts this spring at third base and second base. Stott, who is a shortstop by trade, could still usurp Didi Gregorius as the team’s Opening Day starter. He could also find his way onto the roster by beating out Alec Bohm for a starting spot, whether it’s at third or shortstop with Gregorius shifting to the hot corner.
Girardi wants Stott to play every day regardless of position if he’s on the major league roster.
“I want flexibility,” Girardi told Paul Casella of MLB.com. “Because I’m not exactly sure how we’re going to go.”
It appears the Phillies prefer to give Stott multiple pathways to a spot on the big league roster this spring. He has five hits in 12 Grapefruit League at-bats so far. He homered in Sunday’s game in Dunedin and his advanced feel for the strike zone has been on display. Gregorius also homered for a second consecutive day. Bohm, who is 2-for-16 so far this spring, was out of the lineup on Sunday.
Utility infielder Johan Camargo also factors into the positional battle on the left side of the infield. His strongest position is third base, but he can handle shortstop.
Maybe if the Phillies opt to keep Stott down in the minors to begin the season, Camargo could spell both Bohm and Gregorius at their respective positions to improve the team’s defensive capabilities on a given day. The former Atlanta Brave is a switch hitter, so Girardi could look to optimize matchups using Camargo. Bohm’s OPS against left-handed pitching in 2021 was more than 200 points higher as opposed to righties. (.796 vs. .576).
Camp Notes
- Mickey Moniak has homered in three consecutive games. Prior to Odúbel Herrera’s injury, Girardi said that Moniak was not in the mix for a spot in center field with the big league club. That no longer seems to be the case. “He’s making it really interesting, let me tell you,” Girardi told Casella after Sunday’s game.
- Nick Castellanos went 1-for-2 with a walk in his first Grapefruit League game with the Phillies on Sunday. He was on-deck when reigning MVP Bryce Harper sent two balls out of the park in Dunedin. Castellanos, who could very well be the Phillies’ clean-up hitter, likes the prospect of watching Harper hit from the on-deck circle. “I have the best seat in the stadium to watch those swings, you know?” Castellanos told Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “First two times on deck I get to see that. I hope I get to see that 50 times a year.”
- Girardi informed reporters following Saturday’s game against the Tigers in Lakeland that reliever José Alvarado is shut down from throwing for a few days. His neck “locked up” and he stopped throwing on March 25. Girardi is hopeful Alvarado can pitch in a Grapefruit League game soon. Alvarado, Dillon Maples, Ranger Suárez and Zack Wheeler are the only pitchers in big league camp who have not appeared in a game. There’s no word yet on when Suárez or Wheeler will make their first starts.
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