Philadelphia Phillies: Archie Bradley drops a big prediction for Alec Bohm
Expectations are high for the Philadelphia Phillies this season despite playing in baseball’s most competitive division. The re-signing of J.T. Realmuto, paired with depth in the bullpen and rotation, has Phillies fans and players excited for what should be the best season of baseball in a decade.
Archie Bradley, one of the Phillies’ newest additions, is expected to be one of their best players in 2021. With a history of consistency in the bullpen and the ability to close out games, Bradley is one of the most underrated signings of the baseball offseason.
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Bradley was a guest on MLB Network‘s 30 Clubs in 30 Days segment this week and was asked to respond to host Greg Amsinger’s prediction that Bradley would lead the National League with 47 saves. That would set a Phillies single-season record currently held by Jose Mesa with 45 in 2002.
In six seasons Bradley has only been a full-time closer once in his career, which was back in 2019 with the Arizona Diamondbacks when he had 18 saves. He’s likely to become the Phillies closer in 2021 and on a one-year deal he has a lot to pitch for beyond this season.
However, the big prediction that Bradley himself would make did not involve him at all. When asked about his own prediction for a teammate in 2021, Bradley projected Alec Bohm to hit 30 home runs this year.
“I faced him yesterday in live (bullpen) and he about took my forehead off and took one to the warning track off me, so first hand experience I’m going to say Bohmer’s going to hit about 30 this year.”
Can Alec Bohm help carry the Philadelphia Phillies offense in 2021?
In a season where he finished second in the Rookie of the Year race, Bohm hit four home runs in 44 games. That’d average out to 15 home runs in 162 games, but the Phillies expect a lot more power from Bohm now that he’s been in the big leagues and added 10 pounds of muscle over the offseason.
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The Phillies haven’t had an infielder hit 30 home runs in a season since Ryan Howard in 2011. Rhys Hoskins hit 34 in 2018, but he was primarily playing left field. Scott Rolen is also the last Phillies third baseman to hit 30 home runs, reaching the feat in 1998.
Phillies third basemen have hit 30 home runs only 17 times, and Mike Schmidt did it 13 times. The only other Phillies third basemen to hit 30 home runs in a season are Rolen, Dick Allen (’66, ’68), and Deron Johnson (’71).
Bohm has also never hit 30 home runs in a season, the most coming in 2019 when he hit 21 between Lakewood, Clearwater, and Reading.
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With the added muscle and big league experience, 30 home runs certainly isn’t a crazy number for Bohm to reach as one of the offense’s biggest drivers.