Bryson Stott has faced challenges in handling left-handed pitching, a concern that has lingered as he enters his age-28 season with the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite his overall skills as a hitter, his performance against same-sided pitching has been a focal point for the team’s management, including president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski.
In the 2025 season, Stott recorded a batting line of .225/.287/.288 against left-handed pitchers, resulting in a .575 OPS that ranked among the lowest for left-handed hitters with at least 120 plate appearances. This figure fell short of the .697 OPS average posted by left-handed batters facing southpaws, revealing a significant area for improvement in Stott’s offensive game.
Promising Signs in Early Spring Training
Although the Grapefruit League season is just beginning and conditions remain cool in Clearwater, Stott has showcased encouraging developments against left-handed pitchers during spring games. On Thursday at BayCare Ballpark, Stott overcame an 0-2 count against Nationals lefty Jake Eder to hit a high-eighties slider over the left-field fence. This opposite-field home run was unexpected given the pitch location and early count disadvantage, marking a positive sign for his adjustment at the plate.
The following day, Stott connected with Marlins left-hander Robby Snelling, MLB’s No. 5 left-handed pitching prospect, driving a breaking ball into the right-center gap for an RBI double. This hit, traveling 358 feet with an exit velocity of 102.4 mph, was part of back-to-back days with extra-base hits against lefties—an achievement Stott only managed five times in all of 2025.
Adjustments That Supported Late-Season Improvement
Stott’s marked progress in the latter half of the previous season stems from key mechanical changes, particularly with his hand positioning during the swing. Phillies hitting coach Matt Thomson highlighted this adjustment, noting that Stott’s post-July at-bats reflected the quality he showed earlier in his career and in the Fall League:
“I think it was the change he made in the middle of July with his hands,”
Thomson told reporters in October.
“From that point on, he really had quality at-bats. Those are the type of bats I saw back in 2022 and in the Fall League in 2021. Hopefully, he carries that over.”
In the final 50 games of the 2025 season, Stott batted .310 overall with an .880 OPS, ranking 12th among qualifying players. Against left-handed pitching during that stretch, he posted a .262/.304/.705 line across 46 plate appearances, approaching league-average performance for left-handed hitters, which the Phillies view as a solid step forward.
Managing Platoon Decisions Amid Lefty-Hitting Challenges
Despite the improvement, the Phillies are weighing how best to handle Stott’s role against left-handed pitchers in 2026. Edmundo Sosa, an exceptional left-handed hitter against left-handers, hit .318 with an .895 OPS versus southpaws last season, creating a strong platoon option at second base. Otto Kemp, another lefty hitter on the roster, also demonstrated solid production with a .462 slugging percentage against lefties during his rookie season.
Thomson expressed some uncertainty about the team’s direction going forward, noting the difficulty of benching someone like Sosa:
“We’ll see. Sosa hits lefties so well,”
he said.
“It’s hard to keep him out of the lineup.”
The Phillies are challenged with balancing these options while hoping Stott continues developing into the full-time everyday player they’ve long anticipated, as his defensive abilities and speed have never been questioned.
Potential for a More Well-Rounded Offensive Game
Stott’s early spring success against left-handers signals meaningful progress toward becoming a more complete hitter. Thomson praised his approach, emphasizing Stott’s ability to stay on the ball and use all parts of the field:
“If he’s hitting lefties, that means he’s staying on the ball and using the field. He’s looked very, very good.”
As Stott enters the 2026 season, the Philadelphia Phillies and their fans will be watching closely to see if these early signs translate into consistent success against same-sided pitching. Resolving this split could significantly boost the team’s offensive depth and provide Stott the platform to fulfill his potential as a key contributor.
