After a challenging start to the 2025 season, third baseman Alec Bohm has improved his offensive output for the Philadelphia Phillies, raising hopes for his continued contribution. Despite this upswing, the club is considering prospects like Gavin Fien as potential long-term replacements for Bohm at third base.
Bohm’s early struggles were stark; his batting average fell to .150 with an OPS of .331, ranking last among qualified MLB hitters. However, he rebounded impressively, hitting .324 in April and .303 in June, boosting his season stats to a .280 batting average, .710 OPS, seven home runs, and 36 RBIs. Nonetheless, his overall performance has registered just 0.4 wins above replacement according to Baseball Reference, signaling room for improvement and prompting the Phillies to explore future infield options.
Phillies Anticipate MLB Draft as Key Opportunity to Strengthen Third Base Depth
The Phillies may not rush to replace Bohm immediately, but his slow start this season appears to have refocused attention on securing a successor in the coming years. The 2025 MLB Draft presents a prime occasion for the club to add a highly regarded prep player to its roster, with insider reports pointing to Gavin Fien as a prime target.
Joel Reuter, a Bleacher Report analyst, predicts that with the 26th overall pick, Philadelphia will turn to Fien, a talented high school player from Great Oaks High School in California. Reuter explained,
“The Phillies have taken a high school player with their first pick in each of the past five drafts, including a prep bat three years running, so Fien fits that organizational strategy here at the back of the first round. With a strong 6’3”
, 200-pound frame and average-or-better tools across the board, he is more physically mature than some of the other top high school bats. He was a star on the showcase circuit, and while he did not have the spring many were expecting, that won’t negate what scouts saw last summer.” —Joel Reuter, Bleacher Report Analyst
Scouting Reports Highlight Fien’s Hitting Ability Despite Inconsistent Final High School Season
Fien’s reputation as a hitter is well-established, earning him the Most Valuable Player award at the MLB High School All-American Game, according to MLB.com scouts who regard him as possibly the best hitter in the prep ball circuit. However, his performance during his concluding high school season did not meet some expectations, causing variability in his draft rankings.
Different scouting services offer a range of opinions on Fien’s standing, with ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and The Athletic’s Keith Law ranking him as high as No. 13 in their pre-draft lists, while MLB.com places him at No. 22. This broad spectrum underlines the uncertainty surrounding Fien’s immediate projection but simultaneously emphasizes his potential upside for the Phillies franchise.
Long-Term Impact: Building a Pipeline for Alec Bohm Phillies Replacement Prospect
The interest in Gavin Fien reflects the Phillies’ strategic approach to maintaining depth and future talent at third base. Bohm’s fluctuating performance this season has highlighted the importance of preparing for the eventual transition to a new long-term option. With his physical maturity and batting skills, Fien fits the prototype of a player who could develop into a dependable starter with the Phillies.
As the franchise prepares for the draft and beyond, their focus on promising high school bats like Fien illustrates a commitment to fostering young talent ready to contribute at the major league level. This approach could provide a smooth succession plan for Bohm and strengthen the Phillies’ infield prospects for years to come.