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Phillies Nuggets: Alec Bohm says he’s grown ‘a lot’ as player and person

Alec Bohm is now a veteran on the Phillies. (Cheryl Pursell)

It’s unclear if Alec Bohm knew that Thursday was the two-year anniversary of his “I f—– hate this place” game or not, but after he helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, the third baseman was in a reflective mood.

Now 27, Bohm was asked postgame how much he feels that he’s grown both as a player and a person over the last year or two.

“A lot,” Bohm admitted. “I think there’s a lot of times that I look back and one game over the course of a season, I kinda took it a little too hard at times. So I think now, just seeing the big picture, being a little more calm and confident has really helped me out.”

You do still see some moments after Bohm records an out in a big situation — which, for the record, isn’t that common considering he has a .317 career batting average with runners in scoring position — where Bohm takes his frustrations out on his bat and/or batting helmet. Remembering not to get too high or low in a 162-game season is a key part of becoming a successful Major Leaguer.

While he’s still affectionally referred to as a member of “the Daycare” Bohm is very much a veteran at this point. This is his fifth MLB season, and he has extensive postseason experience.

Nonetheless, the Phillies still hope there is some room for growth from Bohm, particularly in the power department. He hit a career-high 20 home runs last season, while driving in 97 runs. Thursday’s 407-foot home run into the Phillies bullpen is a reminder of the ceiling that the 6-foot-5, 218-pound former first-round pick has. Perhaps as he continues to hone the mental side of the game, 2024 will be the year Bohm fully recognizes his All-Star potential at the plate.

And while Bohm may never compete for a Gold Glove defensively, he has taken steps forward at third base. Exactly how much is up for debate, as he posted one out above average at third base last season, but -10 defensive runs saved. What isn’t up for debate is he seems to have mastered the sliding catch by the visitor’s dugout at Citizens Bank Park, a play that helped secure a Phillies home stand-opening victory Thursday night.

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Phillies manager Rob Thomson said at the conclusion of last home stand that Nick Castellanos was going through an adjustment period as he learned to deal with the new out-of-town scoreboard in right field.

“Well, when the ball gets closer to the wall, it’s just learning how to deal with something really bright in my peripheral vision that wasn’t there last year,” Castellanos told Phillies Nation Thursday.

Castellanos did note that the fence physically feels the same, as there is a chain link before you run into it.

Though he’s walked three times, Bryce Harper is hitless over the Phillies last four games, with five strikeouts in 18 plate appearances. Thomson said postgame Thursday that Harper is just working through his timing, and that there aren’t any issues physically.

The Phillies will wear their City Connect uniforms for the first time in Friday’s game against the Pirates. You can read the inside story of the inspiration behind the new uniforms here.