The Philadelphia Phillies came up short in 2024, falling to the New York Mets, a division rival no less, in the NLDS. The current roster is still among the best in the sport, but surely had its downsides that prematurely ended their season. The page has since turned to 2025, where measures have been taken, and players have been signed in hopes of not repeating history
.The Phillies needing a bounce-back is an understatement. The lofty expectations set since their 2022 World Series appearance dawned a new standard of winning in the city. The front office committed and the players bought in. They haven’t reached the pinnacle, but the team feels they can get it done
The Philadelphia Phillies came up short in 2024, falling to the New York Mets, a division rival no less, in the NLDS. The current roster is still among the best in the sport, but surely had its downsides that prematurely ended their season. The page has since turned to 2025, where measures have been taken, and players have been signed in hopes of not repeating history.
The Phillies needing a bounce-back is an understatement. The lofty expectations set since their 2022 World Series appearance dawned a new standard of winning in the city. The front office committed and the players bought in. They haven’t reached the pinnacle, but the team feels they can get it done.
MLB.com joins everyone else in making an obvious Bryson Stott bounce-back prediction
MLB.com has provided one of the big reasons to buy in, as they project second baseman Bryson Stott will have a much better year in 2025.
Predictions can give a read and can offer some assurance to a club of their future. MLB.com made a prediction for every MLB team and has the Phillies anticipating a bounce-back season from Stott. This isn’t a mind-blowing prediction by any means. Everyone and their grandma seem to be on board with the fourth-year player’s expected resurgence this season.
Stott was on an All-Star trajectory in 2023 before slumping to a .253 average in the second half. He still finished the season batting .280/.329/.419. Stott never found the same gear in 2024, as he hit .245 with 11 home runs, 57 RBI and a .671 OPS. He was dealing with an elbow issue for most of the season, which prevented him from possibly filling the entire All-Star game infield with Phillies. Stott still played elite-level defense and looks to build off his Gold-Glove-level play this season.
Stott is a vital piece to the Phillies’ future at second base and at the ripe age of 27, has a chance to follow in Chase Utley’s footsteps. The Phillies still have him under team control for the next three seasons, per Spotrac. Depending on third baseman Alec Bohm’s situation with rising prospect Aidan Miller, they could approach Stott for a long-term deal. Stott already agreed to a one-year, $3.2 million deal to avoid arbitration for 2025. If payroll allows at least Bohm or Stott to stay, and assuming Stott can play at a high level again, it’s an obvious win for both sides.
If Stott continues to develop and drive the ball with authority again, he could find a new home in the leadoff spot – a spot that could spark more chances like he had in Game 2 of the NLDS. The offense could use a shake-up there and keep the Vegas connection alive and well with first baseman Bryce Harper. A Stott redemption season would be most welcome if it comes to fruition, and, if he can raise his stock, the Phillies will have one more bat to squeeze into the top half of the lineup.
