The Philadelphia Phillies have dominated power rankings for the past month, with baseball writers and media outlets taking them seriously after a phenomenal 41-18 start, giving them a 7.5-game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the NL East.
While the national media’s praise is well-deserved, the Phillies’ success hinges on key individual performances throughout the early season. Bryce Harper and Zack Wheeler continue to perform at elite levels, but other players have also been crucial. Despite their contributions, some Phillies were snubbed from the early All-MLB Team list, suggesting skepticism about their ability to maintain their performance.
Alec Bohm and Matt Strahm have been standout performers. Bohm leads MLB with a .393 batting average and 42 RBI with runners in scoring position. Strahm has been a bullpen stalwart, not giving up a run for nearly two months, contributing to the Phillies’ strong bullpen performance. Despite receiving votes, both were overlooked for the early All-MLB Teams.
José Ramírez of the Cleveland Guardians took the top spot at third base on the First Team. However, the Phillies were still well-represented: Bryce Harper earned a First Team selection at first base, Zack Wheeler was named to the All-MLB First Team as a top starting pitcher, and Ranger Suárez made the All-MLB Second Team with a 9-1 record.
As the season progresses, Bohm and Strahm have the opportunity to prove themselves and potentially secure spots on the All-MLB team by season’s end.