Categories: Features

Phillies’ energy guy Edmundo Sosa stays ready in reduced role

Edmundo Sosa is in his third season with the Phillies. (Cheryl Pursell/Phillies Nation)

You don’t need Edmundo Sosa’s walk-up song to let you know that people love Sosa.

But, like Chief Keef’s “Love Sosa” that he uses before at-bats, the fan and clubhouse favorite hasn’t been heard from much this season.

Sosa, a 28-year-old utility infielder, has complemented a star-studded Phillies roster since he was traded to Philadelphia in July 2022. The right-handed batter earned himself a spot as a late-inning defensive replacement at third base and a platoon starter at shortstop against left-handed pitching as the team made its surprise run to the World Series that year. He then served as the primary starter at third early in 2023 while the club dealt with injuries.

The playing time, however, has diminished to start the year for Sosa, who has only appeared in four of the Phillies’ 17 games.

“I have to take advantage of those opportunities that I’m given,” he said through an interpreter in a conversation with Phillies Nation on the field prior to Monday night’s game at Citizens Bank Park. “I know that (manager Rob) Thomson trusts me. I know that he can count on me as well. I count on taking advantage of those opportunities and trying to help my team win right now.”

The Phillies acquired Sosa from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for reliever JoJo Romero three days before the trade deadline in 2022, and the infielder shined in a part-time role. He smashed lefties, boosted the team defense and brought a spark — and a signature celebration emphasizing the Phillies wordmark on the chest of the uniform — that helped the club in small but important ways on the way to the National League championship.

With Rhys Hoskins missing all of last season with a torn ACL and Bryce Harper getting a late start due to Tommy John surgery, Sosa got the bulk of the playing time to start 2023 at third base in the early parts of the year, with Alec Bohm sliding over to first base. Sosa appeared a bit overexposed in that starting role due to his free-swinging nature and facing more righties; he hit .251/.293/.427 in 300 plate appearances across 104 games last season, striking out 74 times and walking just eight.

But after getting to play fairly regularly in the previous two seasons, Sosa has seen his role become much smaller early on in 2024 with the emergence of Bryson Stott as an everyday starter at second base and the addition of Whit Merrifield in the utility role.

Of course, Sosa would like to play as much as possible. But he’s willing to contribute in any capacity, whenever his name is called.

“I was traded to the Phillies in 2022, and I really feel comfortable and like being here,” Sosa said. “So, what I can do is, I can prepare myself every day to get here and work. I feel good about being here every day and working every day, so I’m always willing to work both physically and mentally. And I feel like I’m ready right now.”

Sosa’s trust in the organization has made the entire situation work so smoothly to this point. He knows the front office believes in him after making the trade for him two seasons ago, and Thomson’s transparency about how much he’ll play helps keep him focused and on track.

“Luckily,” Sosa said, “we have a manager who tries to communicate everything to us — the game plan, what our routines are going to look like. We have a very open manager on that end.”

Thomson is clear about the pecking order with his players. Merrifield — new to the Phillies on a one-year, $8 million contract — will play a lot, often spelling Brandon Marsh and occasionally Stott against left-handers. That leaves Sosa and outfielder Cristian Pache — who platooned with Marsh for stretches last year — as the odd men out. Thomson commended those two players on their professionalism on the bench and in the clubhouse, urging them to stay ready for more at-bats.

“Just keep working,” Thomson said. “Just keep grinding, because the playing time is going to come. It always does. Because — knock on wood, we don’t have injuries — but usually everybody has injuries, and they’ll get their shot.”

The playing time for guys like Sosa and Pache may not be too far away, though. Merrifield has performed poorly so far as a Phillie. He went 0-for-3 on Monday, lowering his season slash line to .107/.167/.107 through 10 games. He did lay down a crucial sacrifice bunt in the 10th inning of Monday’s win against the Rockies, paving the path for Pache to drive in the game-winning hit after entering as a pinch runner earlier in the game.

Thomson continued to maintain his confidence in Merrifield and his ability to turn things around as he adjusts to his part-time role, but the Phillies may not be able to afford the lack of production in those platoons. Although it’s early, something might need to give at some point as the Phillies continue to struggle to score runs. That could open up more time for Sosa and Pache.

In the meantime, Sosa is doing what he can and handling what he can control. He’s 3-for-7 with a home run in three starts, while supporting his teammates and being the same upbeat person he’s been since he arrived in Philadelphia.

“I just try to simply be a good teammate,” Sosa said, “and, most importantly, be a good friend with all my teammates here with the Phillies. Whether I’m playing or not, I try to bring that energy to my game and to share that with my teammates.”

Sosa will keep that energy, complete with his all-out swings at the plate and versatile glove, going for the Phillies in any way they need it.

“I come to the game every day, and I prepare myself, whether I’m playing or not,” he said. “Even when I’m not playing, which is a little harder to get your body used to, I come in with that mindset that I’m going to play. … Whenever I go out on the field, I’m going to give my 100%, and I demonstrate that to my body and my mind every time.”