Bryson Stott keeps finding ways to help the Phillies win games

CLEVELAND — Bryson Stott didn’t record a hit for the Philadelphia Phillies Sunday, but still found a way to be arguably the most impactful player on the field in an extra-innings win over the Guardians.

In his only official at-bat in Sunday’s series finale, Stott struck out. However, the 25-year-old worked four walks, stole three bases and scored a run. According to the Guardians PR staff, Stott became just the second player in Phillies history to draw four or more walks and steal three or more bases in a single game. The only other Phillie to have such a day was Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn on Aug. 15, 1955.

“He’s another guy who is [just a] baseball player,” manager Rob Thomson said postgame. “He impacts the game every night it seems, in one way or another. And that’s important.”

Stott’s rookie season was very much a mixed bag, but the former first-round pick has started to look like a potential core piece for the Phillies in his second campaign. Entering the day, Stott led qualified Phillies position players in batting average (.305), hits (111) and WAR (2.4). Additionally, in his first full season playing second base, Stott has been excellent defensively, as evidenced by his five defensive runs saved and five outs above average.

Since the Phillies selected Stott in 2019 MLB Draft out of UNLV, fellow Las Vegas native Bryce Harper has taken him under his wing. Back in February of 2021, Harper said that Stott had qualities that reminded him of three former All-Stars, Brandon Crawford, J.J. Hardy and Garret Anderson. Whether that scouting report has turned out to be exactly right or not, it’s clear that Harper saw something in Stott.

And so, the two-time NL MVP says he’s not surprised by the breakout second season that Stott is having.

“[I’m] not shocked,” Harper said of Stott after a win Sunday. “Knowing who he is and how he goes about it, I’m not shocked at the way he is performing as a player. No moment or situation is too big or anything like that. He grinds, and is just a really good player.”

The Phillies unquestionably need more offensively from Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber — and recently — Nick Castellanos. There’s also a need to add another right-handed hitter to the lineup before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, ideally one that can play left field given how well Harper has played in his first two starts at first base. If the Phillies are going to make a deep playoff run for the second year in a row, their best stretch has to be in front of them.

But arguably the biggest reason why the Phillies are now 53-46 and very much in the NL Wild Card race despite what’s been an uneven season is Stott. And that was on full display Sunday, even if it wasn’t in the most orthodox way.

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