The Athletic: Phillies Edmundo Sosa has been team’s unsung hero
Edmundo Sosa’s tenure with the Phillies has been invaluable.
The 28-year-old utility player has been a huge addition to the team since coming over in a trade from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for left-handed pitcher JoJo Romero in 2022.
According to The Athletic's Andy McCullough, Sosa has been the unsung hero for the Phillies, and it’s hard to argue with that selection.
“Sosa played a sizable role in the winning. He posted an .841 OPS in Turner’s absence while playing solid defense at shortstop,” McCullough wrote.
Sosa stepped in for Trea Turner, who missed 38 games, and the team didn't skip a beat, going 25-13 without the talented shortstop. With Turner back, his defensive versatility should be on display, with Sosa likely to see time at short, second, third and even was out taking fly balls in the outfield this week.
"Sosa helped the club take flight and emerge as the favorite in the National League East," the writer added.
His ability to play all over the field should make it easier for Rob Thomson to find playing time for him with Turner back in the lineup.
For the first time in his career, with Turner out, Sosa got everyday at-bats and took advantage of the opportunity, hitting .277 with five homers, 24 runs scored, 19 RBI, and three stolen bases.
Sosa is on pace to have the best season of his career and is a free agent at season’s end, so the Phillies might have a decision to make on him at the end of the season, but for now, he has been the teams unsung hero in 2024.