Entering the first game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, the reigning National League champions haven’t had an easy go. The Phillies entered Tuesday four games under .500. Of course, pennants aren’t won in April, which was undoubtedly already proven last season. Still, the team has already dealt with its fair share of injuries and is awaiting the eventual return of Bryce Harper.
The Phillies aren’t even 10 percent of the way through their schedule for the 2023 season, and yet, Philadelphia can’t seem to hang its hat on much, if anything. One thing the Phillies can hang their hats on, though, is the emergence of Bryson Stott as the team’s everyday shortstop. And it was Stott who made history on Tuesday when he led off the first game of a doubleheader with a single. Stott now has a 17-game hitting streak, and in doing so, he’s established a franchise record for base hits in consecutive games to start a season.
We have a new record, folks.
Bryson Stott has hit in 17 CONSECUTIVE games to start the season. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZVh2yvEW1e
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 18, 2023
Stott already looks much more comfortable in the batter’s box than he did a season prior. The 25-year-old Stott hit just .234 in 466 plate appearances last season with a .653 OPS. So far this season, Stott is hitting .380/.389/.507 with one home run, six RBIs, and an OPS of .896. Yes, it’s a relatively small sample size, but the results are night and day.
Puddin’ Head Jones had a 16-game hitting streak to begin the 1950 MLB season. It’s hard to believe, with how long the Phillies have been a Major League franchise, that Stott would be the one to set a modern-day record (since 1900) for the organization in 2023
