‘I know I’m better than this’: New dad of 2 Bryson Stott is crawling his way out of months-long slump

NEW YORK — Bryson Stott had quite a day. 

His second child, a son named Jaxson, was born at around 3:40 a.m on Wednesday morning, July 23. He “thinks” he got in multiple naps during the day before heading into his day – or night job. 

The adrenaline kicked in for Stott 16 hours later. He went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run in a 9-8 loss in 11 innings to the Boston Red Sox. It’s a positive step forward in what has been a brutal season at the plate for the Phillies second baseman. Stott entered the Yankees series batting .231 with a .642 OPS. It’s the lowest OPS among qualified Phillies hitters. 

It’s been a struggle for Stott since getting off to a hot start in April. Since May 1, Stott is batting .202 with a .565 OPS. 

“Obviously, you don’t want to be in a rut forever,” Stott said. “I know I’m better than this.”

But there is belief that Stott could be close to turning the corner. He has made some not-so-subtle adjustments to his batting stance. There is less movement. His hands are closer to the plate. He holds his bat on the shoulder before the pitcher begins his wind-up. 

“Just looking back at ‘23 and the beginning of 2024, just kind of where my hands were,” Stott said. “Trying to get back to that feeling.” 

Timing has been the problem, according to Stott. He is top 10 among all major league hitters in flyouts to the opposite field, behind other contact-oriented hitters like Luiz Arraez, Brice Turang and Steven Kwan. 

Frequent flyouts to left field are an obvious sign that Stott is too early too often. He has felt “more on time” in recent days. 

“Just trying to find that balance of just being on time,” Stott said. “That fixes a lot of things throughout your swing.” 

A hot streak can change a season stat line very quickly. J.T. Realmuto is a good example. The Phillies catcher entered the month of July with a .665 OPS on the season. That number has risen 44 points since the start of July to .709. 

Stott has a lot of work to do to change the outlook of his season offensively. 

“Gotta keep going. It’s not like I quit on it or anything,” Stott said. “This is probably the most swings I’ve ever taken in my life. Taking a bunch of swings today and trying to find that one thing that clicks and just stack good days on top of each other. 

“A good day doesn’t have to be going 3-for-4 or 2-for-4. It’s taking your walks, or squaring up some balls. And if they catch it, they catch it. Just trying to put good swings on balls and get on-base any way I could.” 

Prior to Wednesday’s game, he had one hit in his last 22 at-bats. Sleep deprived and with a new walk-up song in honor of his newborn son, “Buy a Boy a Baseball” by Granger Smith, Stott attacked a fastball from Lucas Giolito that leaked over the inside part of the plate for a double. 

Stott isn’t sure if his polarizing walk-up song, “A-O-K” by Tai Verdes, is retired for good. 

“My wife was like ‘You should change it for the baby,’” Stott said. “I was like ‘Yeah that’s a good idea.’ Picked that one and didn’t think I was going to hit a homer and double in back-to-back at-bats. I told her we have a daughter too. I can’t just have a son song.

“I don’t know, we’ll see.”

He followed up the first at-bat with a solo home run to give his team a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. The family that caught the ball met Stott outside of the Phillies clubhouse after the game. The mother urged her young son to ask Stott a question: “Why are you not at the hospital?” Stott froze.

“I said that my wife (Dru) kicked me out,” Stott laughed.