Philadelphia Phillies Second Base Conundrum: Can Stott Rise to the Challenge?
The Phillies enter the 2025 season with a make-or-break agenda riding on its current core of veteran players. The core has primarily been the same for the fourth year in a row, with only one World Series appearance on top of being the fourth highest payroll in baseball. With no positive outcomes during this time outside of 2022, change may be on the near horizon for this team. Looking at the second base position, the spot has been held down by Bryson Stott. Outside of Stott, there are questions of who will serve as backup within the position. Will it be solely Edmundo Sosa or will the Phillies look for other options?
Bryson Stott
As mentioned, Bryson Stott holds down the spot as the starter at second base, but the Phillies are looking for more from him. In 2024, Stott dealt with an elbow injury that, despite not keeping him out of the lineup, affected his play during the season. Stott batted .245 at the plate with 11 home runs and 57 RBIs. Compared to the previous season, where he batted .280 from the plate to go along with 62 RBIs and 15 home runs. Stott discussed the injury by hinting that his swing was the most affected by it. Defensively, Stott was just like himself in 2023 except better with a .993 fielding percentage with only four errors. Stott will need to get back to his 2023 form at the plate to help the Phillies get to where they want to go and return to the Fall Classic.
Edmundo Sosa
Edmundo Sosa has primarily served as a backup during his time in Philadelphia but has served his role extremely well. Sosa spends a majority of his time as a backup shortstop but appeared in 20 games, starting 17 of said games. At the plate in 2024, Sosa had a .257 batting average, tallying seven home runs and 31 RBIs. The average last season was the best during his time with the Phillies across three seasons. In the field on the other hand, Sosa had a .977 fielding percentage and only gave up two errors in the position. Sosa mostly serves as a backup shortstop for Trea Turner but showed that he has been effective at the position. The Phillies will look to rely on Sosa for both positions again entering his final season under his current contract.
Other Options
Outside of Sosa, the Phillies have multiple options to fill the backup spot at second base and other positions all throughout the diamond. Kody Clemens, Weston Wilson, and Buddy Kennedy each saw opportunities in the big leagues last season; however, they are all battling for the last roster spot on the Opening Day roster. Clemens is the most “experienced” in the position with eight appearances and three games started, but Wilson and Kennedy are each two or less games behind Clemens. On the other hand, Wilson offers the most at the plate with a .284 batting average compared to a .219 from Clemens and a .182 average from Kennedy. Still, the Phillies will look upon one or more of these players to serve as a backup and utility player heading into the 2025 season.
