Alec Bohm’s recent offensive surge deserves national attention. The Philadelphia Phillies’ third baseman has developed one of baseball’s best swings, as evidenced by Statcast’s new bat tracking data.
Bohm’s performance since mid-April suggests he could be an All-Star for the first time. Following his 1-for-3, five-RBI game against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, he boasts a .917 OPS, ranking sixth in the NL and 14th in MLB. His .330 batting average is fourth-best in baseball. Additionally, his .389 OBP ranks 12th, and his .528 slugging percentage is 13th. He leads MLB with 18 doubles and 42 RBI in 47 games.
**Phillies’ Alec Bohm has one of the most valuable swings in MLB**
Bohm’s batting has reached another level. Statcast’s bat tracking data reveals why he has started the season so strongly. He ranks among the top hitters for competitive squared-up swings, with 86 such swings, placing him ninth.
The squared-up rate measures the percentage of the highest possible exit velocity a batter achieves. Bohm’s 40.2 percent squared-up contact rate is 20th, while his 34.1 percent squared-up swing rate ties for 12th.
Another key metric from Baseball Savant is the number of “blasts” a hitter has, defined as the most valuable combinations of hard swings and contact efficiency. Bohm’s 45 blasts rank ninth, his 21 percent blast contact rate ranks 18th, and his 17.9 percent blast swing rate is eighth-best in MLB. These stats help explain his success over the past month.
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In the last 30 days before Sunday’s game, Bohm has led the majors in multiple categories, including hits (42), doubles (15), and RBI (26). He also tops all hitters with a .378 batting average. His .417 OBP is tied for ninth, and his .595 SLG ranks eighth. His 1.011 OPS is third in the NL and sixth overall.
The 27-year-old has been crucial to the Phillies’ success, helping them secure first place in the NL East since early May. Philadelphia currently leads the division by 4.5 games over the Atlanta Braves.
Bohm’s performance makes a strong case for his first All-Star Game appearance, potentially as the starting third baseman for the NL. More importantly, maintaining this level of play during the postseason is crucial. Last year, Bohm struggled in the playoffs as the club’s clean-up hitter. If he can continue his current momentum, he will undoubtedly be a key player in the Phillies’ batting order this postseason.
