PHILADELPHIA -- There’s something almost poetic about Bryson Stott's approach at the plate, which was on full display during the Phillies' thrilling 11-10 win over the Marlins. He faced a marathon 35 pitches – a feat not seen in Philadelphia since Brandon Marsh matched that number in August 2023.
"Wow, 35 pitches. I swear it felt like more," Stott mused after the game with a grin.
Stott has been a revelation at the leadoff spot since being tasked with the role just over a week ago. On this particular Saturday, he was electric, going 3-for-5.
He not only displayed his knack for getting on base but also showcased his versatility with a double, a walk, a stolen base, two runs scored, and three RBIs. He worked a full count walk in his first at-bat, connected on a two-run double after a seven-pitch at-bat in the fourth, followed by a run-scoring single on his fourth pitch in the fifth.
He continued to grind through pitches, adding another single in the seventh after six pitches.
The last time a Phillies player saw this many pitches was Rhys Hoskins' 39-pitch performance in August 2022.
“Just trying to see as many pitches as possible, even if it doesn’t end in a hit,” Stott explained. “I feel like that helps Trea [Turner], Bryce [Harper], and Kyle [Schwarber]. It’s about seeing the pitches and capitalizing on the mistakes.”
Every run Stott plated was crucial, especially when the Phillies' usually reliable Jordan Romano experienced a rare meltdown in the ninth, giving up six runs in a brief two-thirds of an inning. To put this in perspective, Romano had never allowed more than three runs in a single game before this.
This outing moved Romano's ERA to 15.26 over nine appearances this season. It wasn't due to a lack of heat either; Romano's fastball clocked in at a sizzling 99.8 mph, averaging 97.0 mph, a marked jump from his seasonal average.
“I got crushed,” said a candid Romano post-game.
Manager Rob Thomson plans to investigate Romano's performance, noting that the pitcher had only thrown 10 pitches since April 12, which might explain some rust. Thomson remains optimistic about Romano, citing his strong track record.
“We’ve got to look into the finer details. But his velocity is there, stuff is there. There's every reason to trust in him,” Thomson remarked.
As Romano looks to review video footage, contemplating whether he might be tipping pitches, he reflects on the outing, “I went out there with my plan, throwing strikes where I wanted. It just didn’t pan out.”
Still, there's hope that Romano can rebound, given how essential he is as a high-leverage reliever for the team.
Meanwhile, Stott's emergence as a leadoff man has been a bright spot. Since his promotion to the role on April 11, he’s hitting .310 with an .812 OPS. His patience at the plate is evident; entering Saturday, he was averaging 4.73 pitches per plate appearance, ranking just behind the Dodgers' Andy Pages.
This patience is translating into fewer swings on pitches outside the strike zone and less eagerness to attack the first pitch. It’s a testament to his growing confidence and strategic mindset at the plate.
“I felt like I was getting myself out too often, sticking with pitches that often ended in groundouts,” Stott reflected. “Being more selective and waiting for the right pitch has made a difference.”
As for starting pitcher Taijuan Walker, he delivered four solid innings despite shoulder tightness, allowing only one run. The right-hander is optimistic about his next start against the Cubs, coming this Friday.
Walker shared his thoughts on Stott’s rise to the leadoff spot: “I love watching his at-bats. He’s a grinder at the plate, and he doesn’t shy away from two-strike situations. It’s exactly what you need from your leadoff guy.”
