From undrafted prospect to MLB All-Star: the resilient rise of Alec Bohm
In short: In 2015, Major League Baseball passed on Alec Bohm. A growth spurt and a fractured elbow had left him looking awkward to scouts, but he refused to let his career end before it began. Today, he is a cornerstone for the Philadelphia Phillies, proving that development is rarely a straight line.
Alec Bohm’s journey to the Major Leagues was defined by overcoming early setbacks. After being overlooked in the 2015 MLB draft, he committed to the Wichita State Shockers, the only college program to offer him a scholarship. His collegiate career was marked by significant transformation; in 2017, he returned to the Shockers after losing 20 pounds (9.1 kg) during the offseason to improve his performance. During his final year at Roncalli Catholic, he dominated the Nebraska high school circuit with a .533 batting average. He also secured a victory in the Connie Mack World Series Home Run Derby.
His time at Wichita State showcased both immense talent and defensive struggles. In 2018, alongside teammate Greyson Jenista, he was nicknamed 'the Bash Brothers' after a powerful start to the season. While he demonstrated elite plate discipline—recording 39 walks against only 28 strikeouts in 224 at-bats—his defensive fielding percentage at third base sat at .899, reflecting a struggle to master the position. His offensive output was further highlighted by a notable 12-game hitting streak during his freshman year. He also earned First Team All-Conference honours from the Missouri Valley Conference in 2017.
After picking Bohm third overall during the 2018 MLB draft, the Philadelphia Phillies secured his signature on June 12 with a $5.85 million bonus. Since his 2020 debut, he has faced the typical volatility of professional sports, including a stint in Triple-A in 2021 to restore his confidence. By 2022, he had implemented mechanical adjustments inspired by veteran Paul Goldschmidt to better handle high-velocity fastballs, a move that helped him reach the postseason and eventually earn his first MLB All-Star appearance in 2024. His resilience was evident when he hit the 1,000th home run in World Series history during the 2022 postseason. He also earned his first All-Star selection in 2024 after participating in the Home Run Derby.
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