How’s that for a spring training roommate?
Bryson Stott, the Phillies’ top pick in the 2019 draft, will stay with Bryce Harper at Clearwater.
Filet mignon every night?
“No,” said Stott with a laugh. “But he is a great host.”
Stott and Harper came from Las Vegas and the family connections are deep. Harper played travel ball with Stott’s older brother, Brennen. Harper, the first general choice in the 2010 draft, was there to offer congratulations, support and advice when Bryson Stott was selected 14th overall by the Phillies in 2019.
Back in Vegas, Stott occasionally hitting with Harper and the two regularly meet at Harper’s house to watch Ohio State football games. Harper is a big fan of the Buckeyes because his wife, Kayla, played football at school, and Stott adopted that team as his favorite when he was young.
Harper, 28, called Stott, 23, one of his close friends.
“He is more than a teammate,” said Stott. “It’s amazing to see him run his business and see his kids grow up.”
While Harper is entering his tenth season in the big league, Stott is a leftist shortstop who is just beginning his professional career. The UNLV product was about to embark on its first full professional season before the pandemic ended the secondary baseball league in 2020.
Stott was one of the lucky ones. He managed to regain some development time when he was included in the group sent to the Phillies field in July. He received two months of instruction and repetitions in intra-team games.
“It was a great growth experience, both offensive and defensively,” said Stott, who weighs 1.8 to 2 kg and weighs 205 pounds.
Stott’s bat has the potential to be a standout tool. In the auxiliary field, he worked on using his legs more and hitting the ball in all fields with authority.
“I learned that I am big and strong enough that I don’t have to depend on the right field to get extra base hits,” he said.
Stott, who can also play second base, is currently in the Phillies mini-field in Clearwater, preparing for the new season, and can take a look at one or two Grapefruit League games and projects to play against minors in 2021. The goal it is a rapid ascent to Philadelphia. The Phillies’ midfield situation is potentially defined until 2022 with Didi Gregorius on the shortstop and Jean Segura on the second. This is not an excessive amount of time, considering that Stott still needs development time and if he makes rapid progress, well, there is nothing wrong with putting a little warmth in people.
Stott was asked what advice he received from Harper.
“Play hard, work hard, have fun and if you get it right, there will be a place for you,” he said.
Harper offered an extensive report of recognition about Stott.
“He’s a very good mix, I would say JJ Hardy and Brandon Crawford,” said Harper. “A guy who makes all the moves, is not super flashy, but he has an arm like Crawford and is very good in the middle.
“I imagine he has a very similar swing – doubles to the left, homers to the right – like Garret Anderson, if I can imagine. This is a very good compliment because he was a great hitter.
“He is a very good player and will do everything he can to reach the big leagues, whether he is playing in second or second position. The game is not very big for him. He is very balanced with a workman mindset that would work in philadelphia.
“If he forces the bar, I think he’s a great player, I really do. That’s what he wants to do. I want him to be here. I think he’s going to be a great player, but he has to work to be here. . If he won’t work, then he won’t be here. “
Harper is not just committed to meeting and helping young players from his hometown. A year ago, he placed Alec Bohm, a Nebraskan, under his protection.
“That’s the only thing I noticed about Bryce is that he kind of has a big brother personality,” said businessman Joe Girardi. “Bryce has been in the big leagues for a long time, but he really isn’t that old. I think he likes that leadership role. I think he likes being a mentor. He knows what it’s like to have expectations about you, probably as many as anyone. when he He knows how difficult it is to reach this level and remain at this level and I think he has a lot of knowledge to offer these children, and he is not far from being himself.
“I love that he does that. At some point, these young people are going to show up and you want them to feel comfortable when they join the club. Whether you’re a young player or a veteran player, you’re going to have a tough time and it really it helps when you have someone to lean on when you’re a young player. “
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