Apr 11, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Alec Bohm (28) throws to first against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
PHILADELPHIA — It was no surprise to see Alec Bohm batting eighth for the Phillies during Sunday's 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
What was surprising was that he went 0 for 4 batting there.
That's because this is something Rob Thomson has done in the past when players are struggling, and for the most part, it's worked.
Since taking over as manager in 2022, Thomson dropped a guy to eighth in the order six times previously. Only once was it for more than a week or so - and that was with Bohm in 2025 where he had him hit eighth 23 times.
The second most times was eight games — by Jean Segura in 2022 and Max Kepler last year.
He's also done it to Bohm in 2022, Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos in 2023 and J.T. Realmuto last year.
Turner, you might remember, occurred simultaneously with the whole standing ovation nonsense.
And while there are some who will credit that made up narrative for Turner's turnaround in 2023, none of the other times a guy was dropped to eighth in the lineup were accompanied by an ovation, and you know what, it's practically worked every time.
In total, prior to Saturday's game, the guys who had been dropped to eighth in the lineup went a combined 56 for 185 (.303) with eight doubles, two triples seven homers and 27 RBIs in 54 games there.
Their combined OPS during those games was .823.
"It depends on the player and the situation," Thomson said before Saturday's game. "Sometimes it doesn't work because the player thinks that you don't have confidence in them, when really all we're trying to do is get them going."
Thomson doesn't think Bohm is one of the guys who doesn't respond. And the numbers from last year prove it out.
When Bohm was dropped to eighth in the order in 2025, he slashed .326/.366/.477 for an .842 OPS.
Even when it happened across four games in June and July of 2022, Bohm went 4 for 15 and hit a pair of homers.
So far this season, Bohm has been unimpressive at the plate. Aside form an opening day home run, Bohm's numbers are paltry. He's 8-for-51 (.157) with just two extra base hits and a .467 OPS.
I asked Rob Thomson what he’s seeing right now from Alec Bohm, who is hitting .170 so far this season. @OnPattison pic.twitter.com/tjirSpec1N
"I talked to him [Friday] about some similar stuff (from last season), and I think he knows that all we're trying to do is help him and that he just needs to relax and be himself because he can hit. We all know he can hit."
How long he stays in the eight hole this time remains to be seen, but it's a pretty good bet that even if he starts hitting again, he may not be returning to the cleanup spot.
Once the Phillies finish the series with the Diamondbacks and start facing teams with left-handed options out of the bullpen, Brandon Marsh will no longer be hitting cleanup. The best bet to move into that role will be Adolis Garcia, who Thomson called "a strong candidate" to move there when the Phillies face the Chicago Cubs Monday.
If Bohm responds, he may move back up to the No. 6 spot in the lineup, which is likely where he is the best fit.
If he doesn't respond, however, Maybe the next move is for Thomson to give him a day or two off and get Edmundo Sosa in the lineup.
But if Thomson is going off a track record, this move to slide Bohm to eighth should bear some fruit.
The Phillies could use a few apples and oranges in their lineup right now.
