Wichita State Professional Athletes

Wichita State Alumni Roundup | MLB | Sept. 20–26, 2026

With the postseason on the line, a Shocker is squarely in the middle of one of the most pressure-packed roster situations in the National League.

Bohm's Role Reshuffled as Phillies Cling to Wild Card

Alec Bohm has been at the center of back-to-back roster decisions in Philadelphia this week — and neither came under comfortable circumstances.

The first move came after star second baseman Luis Arraez suffered a bad-looking ankle injury while running to first base during the Phillies' series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers, a 5-1 loss that dropped Philadelphia two-of-three in the series. With Arraez's status uncertain, the Phillies adjusted their roster with Bohm in mind, signaling a potential reshuffling of defensive responsibilities at a moment the team can least afford instability.

Then came Friday. Philadelphia fell 2-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays while the Arizona Diamondbacks throttled San Diego 11-4 — cutting the Phillies' lead for the final NL Wild Card spot to a single game. The front office responded by announcing another sudden Bohm-related decision during the Rays series, reflecting just how fluid the roster picture has become in the season's final days.

The Phillies are fighting for their postseason lives, and a Wichita State product is right in the middle of the chess match.

Rodden Grinding Through a Tough September in Seattle

Across the country, Brock Rodden has had a quieter but no less meaningful week. The Mariners second baseman went 2-for-1 in Seattle's win over Colorado on September 20 but struggled as the week progressed, going hitless in a 7-run loss to Houston on September 23. Rodden's average sits at .197 on the season, a number that reflects the growing pains of a young player navigating the end of a long MLB campaign.

Seattle's season has lacked the wild-card drama of Philadelphia's, but Rodden's continued presence on the roster is its own kind of benchmark for a Shocker making his way in the bigs.

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The contrast between Bohm's high-leverage situation and Rodden's developmental grind captures the wide spectrum of where Wichita State alumni find themselves in professional baseball. For Phillies fans tracking the wild card race by the hour, Bohm's availability and role over the final week of the regular season could carry genuine October consequences.

This content is AI-generated by FanDaily.

Wichita State Alumni Report | MLB | Sept. 13–19

For years, the knock on Alec Bohm was that he wilted when it mattered most. The Wichita State product is flipping that script in the most important stretch of the Phillies' season — and the organization is starting to notice.

Bohm Heats Up as Phillies Fight for Position

Bohm is riding a legitimate late-season hot streak for Philadelphia, which currently holds the second Wild Card slot heading into the final weeks of the regular season. The timing couldn't be better: the Phillies recently dropped four of five games before righting the ship behind ace Zack Wheeler, and Bohm has been a central figure in the offensive resurgence.

Against the Atlanta Braves, Bohm drove in two runs as part of a massive seven-run eighth inning that helped Philadelphia avoid a series sweep, ultimately winning 9-4. It was the kind of clutch, late-game production that Bohm's critics had long questioned. Andrew Painter worked through traffic in a separate contest before Bohm and the offense broke through late to finish the Atlanta road trip on a strong note.

The performance has drawn national attention. The New York Times flagged his hot finish as notable precisely because it bucks a historical pattern, and Sports Illustrated went further — making the case that the Phillies should consider locking Bohm up long-term. With the third baseman playing with urgency and describing every remaining game as a "must-win," it's hard to argue the moment is too big for him.

Whether the Phillies act on extension talks before or after the offseason remains to be seen, but the conversation is happening — and Bohm's bat is driving it.

Rodden Holds On in Seattle

On the other end of the standings, Brock Rodden has been grinding through a tough stretch for the Mariners. The Wichita State infielder saw action in five games during the week, with his average sliding from .222 to .207 as Seattle split its schedule. Rodden drew a walk in the Mariners' 5-4 win over Colorado on Saturday to close the week, a small bright spot in an otherwise quiet stretch at the plate.

His numbers are modest, but Rodden continues to see major-league at-bats as Seattle manages out the final weeks of what has been a challenging season.

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The week belonged to Bohm. A Shocker making noise in a playoff race, rewriting his own late-season narrative, and putting front-office decision-makers on the clock — that's the kind of story Wichita State fans will want to watch closely as October approaches.