> At a Glance
> – Strong start, mid-season slump, late-season surge.
> – Line-drive rate stayed above 20% in productive stretches.
> – .719 OPS, 4% below league average.
> – Why it matters: Stott’s performance highlights the importance of contact quality and discipline for a second baseman’s offensive value.
Bryson Stott’s 2025 campaign was a roller-coaster, beginning with a .297/.374/.436 slash, dipping to .206/.276/.300 in the middle, and finishing with a .310 slash that pushed his OPS to .719. The swing in numbers reflects changes in batted-ball luck, exit velocity, and line-drive rate. As Philadelphia looks ahead, the question is whether the late-season uptick will carry into 2026.
Season Overview
Stott’s first 27 games yielded a .297 batting average, .374 OBP, and .436 slugging, translating to an .810 OPS. His .359 BABIP led the Phillies, but his xBA of .239 revealed 58 points of favorable luck, and his 83.9-mph exit velocity was the second-lowest in the majors. The high line-drive rate of 22.8% kept him in the top 25% of hitters.
Underlying Numbers
Stott’s early season was powered by a .359 BABIP, but his xBA lagged behind at .239, showing 58 points of luck. In the slump, his BABIP fell to .231, the fourth-lowest in MLB, while his xBA stayed near .235, meaning hits did not fall. The final stretch saw his xBA rise to .270, exit velocity hold at 88.2 mph, and line-drive rate return above 20%.
Defense, Speed, and Leverage
Defensively, Stott recorded eight Outs Above Average, placing him in the 94th percentile league-wide, and ranked in the 86th percentile for sprint speed. With runners in scoring position, his career OPS of .742 outpaced his overall .701, jumping to .917 in 2025, and he led all qualified second basemen in extra-base hits with RISP, tying for the lead in total bases.
Plate Discipline & First-Pitch Approach
Stott’s chase rate fell to 23.6% in 2025, a 23.3% chase rate ranking in the 81st percentile, and he averaged 4.40 pitches per plate appearance. When swinging at the first pitch, he hit .366 with a .592 slugging percentage and .948 OPS, collecting 26 hits; taking the first pitch lowered his OPS to .681.
Dave Dombrowski stated:
> “Bryson Stott is a really good player. He is an everyday player, but at times, I’m sure [Rob Thomson] will rest him versus tough left-handers.”
Key Takeaways
- Stott’s line-drive rate and disciplined contact can offset struggles against left-handed pitching.
- Late-season uptick in 2025 suggests potential for sustained offensive value.
- Defensive and speed metrics keep him a valuable asset in the lineup.
Stott’s 2025 season shows that line-drive rate and disciplined contact can offset struggles against left-handed pitching. If the patterns persist, he remains an above-average offensive second baseman, even as the Phillies weigh lineup options for 2026.
By Jordan M. Lewis – News Of Philadelphia
