The Philadelphia Phillies’ days of consistently producing homegrown stars like Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Jimmy Rollins seem like a distant memory. In recent years, the team has leaned heavily on acquiring marquee free agents such as Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler, and Trea Turner to bolster their roster and chase championship aspirations.
When a homegrown talent does break through, it garners significant attention.
Alec Bohm, drafted by the Phillies in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft, is one such prospect. After making his MLB debut in the shortened 2020 season, Bohm shined, slashing .338/.400/.481 and earning runner-up honors for the National League Rookie of the Year Award. However, his journey back to consistent success would take time.
In 2024, Bohm appeared to regain his form, posting a solid .280/.332/.448 slash line. While this performance didn’t match his stellar .881 OPS from 2020, it was a marked improvement over the .715 OPS he managed between 2021 and 2023. His resurgence caught the attention of analysts, with Joel Reuter of *Bleacher Report* ranking him eighth in his final third base power rankings for 2024.
“Despite starting the All-Star Game and having two years of club control remaining,” Reuter noted, “Bohm is reportedly on the trade block this offseason as the Phillies look to shake things up following an early playoff exit.”
While the playoff disappointment is often cited as the reason for Bohm’s availability, the situation may run deeper.
At 28, Bohm’s temperament has increasingly come under scrutiny. On-field frustrations are evident—whether it’s slamming his bat after a strikeout, breaking it over his knee, or hitting himself on the helmet. Such outbursts have led manager Rob Thomson to intervene mid-game, pulling Bohm aside for discussions, though these measures seem to have had little lasting effect.
After the Phillies’ playoff exit, when asked if he believed his career was at a crossroads, Bohm confidently replied, “No, I know where I’ll be next year.”
There’s no doubt Bohm is a capable hitter who could strengthen many lineups. However, Philadelphia seems increasingly wary of his attitude issues, which could risk disrupting clubhouse chemistry. As a result, it appears likely the Phillies will move on from Bohm this offseason, aiming to avoid potential locker room conflict while capitalizing on his value.
