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The Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly been receiving calls from other MLB teams who are interested in their top shortstop prospect Bryson Stott, according to 6ABC's Jeff Skversky.

Stott was the 14th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Phillies out of University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV.)

The 24-year-old split time between High-A Jersey Shore, AA Reading, and AAA Lehigh Valley during the 2021 MiLB season, and in 112 games, he hit .299 with 16 homeruns, 49 RBI, and an OPS of .876. He is also ranked as the number two prospect in the Phillies minor league system by Inside the Phillies.

After Didi Gregorius had a down year as the Phillies starting shortstop in 2021, the Phillies are looking to upgrade at the position come 2022.

While nothing is confirmed, it's been believed that Stott is the shortstop of the future in Philadelphia. But with a sense of urgency creeping in on President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski and the club, they are in "win now" mode, and should they fail, are risking wasting the primes of Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler, and J.T. Realmuto. 

And with Stott's timetable currently unknown, it's possible the club chooses to pursue one of the top free agent shortstops available this winter in Corey Seager, Trevor Story, or Carlos Correa. If Philadelphia decides to sign any of the above names, it would ultimately block Stott from a starting position on the big league club.

Stott's value is at its peak, and he could be included in a trade package that helps fortify any of the positions Dombrowski mentioned as a need for the club in 2022 such as a starter, center fielder, leadoff man, or a middle of the order bat.

But Stott is esteemed by the Phillies, particularly by their face of the franchise right fielder Bryce Harper. Harper has spoken glowingly of the prospective shortstop, a fellow Las Vegas native like himself, and has even compared Stott to former MLB All-Stars.

So, should Stott be traded, it's hard to imagine that Harper wouldn't try to fight it, especially after addressing the importance of the farm system in a press conference just last week.

As more information becomes available, Inside the Phillies will update you.

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