Philadelphia Phillies Stars Bohm, Nola Earn Quarter Season MVP Nods
Average is the best word to describe the work done by the Philadelphia Phillies thus far in 2023. They're sitting fourth in the National League East with a record of 23-26. The Phillies are seven games back of the first-place Atlanta Braves.
We've already graded the squad at the quarter-season mark as a group effort. C's get degrees but pitching remained the biggest sore spot in the organization with D's.
However, there are bright spots and two players have earned the Most Valuable Player award thus far into the season. One among the hitters and one from the pitching, arguably the toughest one to pick.
At the MVP plate is third (and occasional first) baseman Alec Bohm. He's always had an advanced, all-fields approach at the plate. He unlocked more power over spring training. You can see a shift in Bohm's mindset and it's translated into more success this season.
Just take his most recent outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday. The Phils won in the tenth inning 6-5 win to avoid the series sweep. The integral part of that? Alec Bohm's bases-loaded walk-off single sealed the win.
The 26-year-old is slashing .264/.320/.390 with five home runs and 35 runs batted in during 200 plate appearances. Working with hitting coach Kevin Long is paying off in spades. He's cooled off lately but compared to his other teammates, he's emerged as the most improved and valuable.
On the MVP mound is right-handed pitcher Aaron Nola. Among the starting rotation and bullpen, it's slim pickings. Their starters, through 49 games, have a combined 4.98 earned run average. Nola is 4-3 with a 4.31 ERA, pitching 53 strikeouts over 62.2 innings.
Another righty, Zack Wheeler, should be ahead of Nola but Nola is in a better place. He's gone at least six innings in every start but two this season (8/10) and has been an innings eater and strikeout machine. He boasted 10 in his most recent start, a seven-inning, two-run win against the Chicago Cubs.
He also has the support of the lineup. The Phillies have also supported Nola pretty well to the tune of 6.31 runs per game.
It's still only May but both seemed primed to keep their respective MVP titles into the halfway mark.
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