Alec Bohm -- Prospect Evaluation

Alec Bohm was selected 3rd overall in the 2018 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies after establishing himself as one of the most impressive college hitters in the draft class. At 6'5" and 218 pounds, Bohm possesses exceptional raw power, having hit 11 home runs as a sophomore and six as a freshman. His 2018 spring performance was particularly notable: a .353/.464/.596 line with eight home runs and nine doubles over 36 games. Beyond raw power, scouts praised his significantly improved plate discipline, including a reduced strikeout rate and increased walk rate—the first time in his collegiate career he walked more than he struck out.

Bohm demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the strike zone with the ability to adjust within at-bats, earning him accolades for best strike-zone discipline and best hitter for average in the Philadelphia organization in both 2019 and 2020. He was selected to the Cape Cod League all-star game and finished second in the league with a .351 average during his summer league stint. Prospect rankings reflected his rise, positioning him as Philadelphia's #1 prospect in 2019 and #2 in 2020, while Baseball America ranked him #28 overall in 2020.

Defensive questions, however, have surrounded Bohm throughout his prospect profile. Some scouts believe he will eventually need to move to first base, while others contend his strong arm is sufficient to keep him at third base. His professional debut came on August 13, 2020.

Alec Bohm, selected 3rd overall in the 2023 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, is addressing defensive concerns about his position at third base. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, there were initial questions about whether his lanky frame would necessitate a move to first base. However, scouts and team officials have noted marked improvement in his defensive abilities since joining the organization.

Charlie Manuel, the 2008 World Series-winning Phillies manager now scouting for the team, observed Bohm playing six games for Wichita State in the spring and was impressed by his bat, power, and approach. Upon seeing him again at instructional league six months later, Manuel noted significant defensive progress, particularly improved lateral movement and quicker footwork. Manuel is confident in Bohm's offensive potential, projecting him as a line-drive hitter with power and strong RBI production.

Bohm's college performance was exceptional: he hit .339 with a .436 on-base percentage and .625 slugging percentage as a junior, with 16 home runs, 39 walks, and only 28 strikeouts across 57 games. His first professional summer was challenging, producing a .252 average with no home runs in 40 games before suffering a knee injury from a pitch. Infield coordinator Chris Truby emphasized that Bohm is approaching his defensive development with determination, stating he 'came in with a little chip on his shoulder' to prove he can play third base and is 'putting in the work and time.'

Alec Bohm represents one of the best bats available in the 2018 MLB Draft class, a 21-year-old junior third baseman from Wichita State University with undeniable raw power potential. The Detroit Tigers identified Bohm as a key prospect option as they prepared for a crucial draft pick. MLB Pipeline ranked him 11th overall with elite hit (55) and power (55) grades, though his running (35), fielding (45), and arm strength (50) grades are considerably weaker.

Bohm's most significant asset is his imposing frame and massive raw power output. However, what scouts particularly noted is his meaningful improvement in approach and mechanics over the past two seasons. Early in his college career, he was overly aggressive with choppy, lengthy swing mechanics, but he has since refined his contact ability and plate discipline substantially. His compact swing demonstrates good balance and bat control despite his size, allowing him to generate power without needing to sell out for it.

Historical context suggests college third basemen taken in the top 10 have been among the most valuable draft picks, with seven of nine selected between 1997-2012 producing at least one 6.5+ WAR season. While Bohm likely doesn't possess Kris Bryant's caliber of tools, his refined approach and strong wood bat performance in the Cape Cod League indicate genuine major league potential, though scouts acknowledge his limited secondary tools may temper some teams' expectations despite his elite power profile.

The Philadelphia Phillies selected third baseman Alec Bohm with the third overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. Bohm, 21, played college baseball at Wichita State University and demonstrated consistent offensive improvement across his collegiate career. His batting average rose from .303 as a freshman to .339 as a junior, while his on-base percentage improved from .346 to .436 over the same span. Power production also increased progressively, with home run totals rising from 6 to 16 across his three seasons. Notably, Bohm improved his plate discipline significantly, demonstrating better walk-to-strikeout ratios that improved from 9-25 as a freshman to 39-28 as a senior. Phillies scouting director Johnny Almaraz stated, "We were very, very lucky to get the guy that we were focusing on throughout a good part of the season." The organization views Bohm as an ascending talent with the offensive foundation to build around, given his combination of hit ability, power, and improving selective hitting.