Alec Bohm

Bohm was never likely to repeat the .338 average he produced in his 44-game debut in 2020, but his 20.0 K% and reputation as a strong contact hitter meant that he was still supposed to be strong in that area. He took a big step backwards in his sophomore season, however, hitting just .247/.305/.342. His strikeout rate jumped to 26.6 percent, and he continued to lack power, homering just seven times in 115 games while posting a 6.6% barrel rate. Bohm's contact-over-power profile requires quite a lot of contact if he's to be an everyday player at third base, especially as he's been a poor defender there, so seeing him suddenly whiff more than average was a major concern. The Phillies eventually demoted him to the minors in late August, casting doubts on his role for 2022. There's certainly potential for the 2018 third-overall pick to right the ship, but he provided zero reason to get excited in 2021.

The Phillies kept Bohm off the big-league roster until mid-August in order to delay his eventual free agency by a year, but given his immediate success and the fact that they missed the playoffs by just a single game, they probably regret that decision. The young third baseman looked like he belonged from the start and went on to hit .338/.400/.481 in 44 games. While it did take a .410 BABIP to get him there, Statcast was still quite happy with his performance, giving him a .286 xBA and a .464 xSLG. He'll need to add a bit more power to become a truly exciting fantasy option, as he homered just four times as a rookie, but a player with his contact ability and 6-foot-5 frame should be able to do that as he matures. That contact ability is perhaps the most impressive part of his profile, as he posted a 13.8% strikeout rate in the minors and a 20.0% mark as a rookie.

Bohm hit .311/.379/.513 with 23 home runs, a 10.2 BB% and 14.8 K% in 147 games across stops in the South Atlantic, Florida State and Arizona Fall leagues in his first full season after the Phillies selected him with the No. 3 overall pick in 2018. He had a 35.2 Hard% (excluding AFL), which, combined with his high contact rate, portends at least an above-average hit tool. The .231 ISO he logged at Double-A is misleading, as he hit just .242/.329/.398 away from the extremely hitter-friendly park in Reading. He looks like a power hitter (6-foot-5, 225 pounds), but we have not seen proof that he will get to plus game power. For a player who is already getting some work at first base, that could be an issue. He will open the year with Triple-A Lehigh Valley in another park that favors hitters and will probably be playing third base in the majors at some point this summer, even though first base is a better fit.

Bohm, the No. 3 pick and recipient of the draft's fourth-largest bonus ($5.85 million), had a rough pro debut, but it probably won't greatly affect the way people view him. Those who were high on him before the draft can chalk it up to a small sample size and those who were low on him saw what they expected to see. Coming into the draft, Bohm was seen by many as a third baseman with the potential for a 60-grade hit tool and 70-grade power. The naysayers saw a R/R slugger who didn't face strong competition at Wichita State and whose poor defense would eventually force a move to first base -- where there would be a lot of pressure on his bat. He made plenty of contact in the New York-Penn League (15.7 K%). However, his batted-ball profile (56.5 GB%, 11.8 LD%, 42.1 Oppo%) made it difficult for him to do damage. Already 22 years old, the clock is ticking on Bohm. If he hits a ton this year, all will be forgiven. If not, the "bust" label will be thrown around.