Wichita State Professional Athletes

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.

Wichita State Alumni Report | MLB | Aug. 30–Sept. 5, 2026

The most consequential week for Wichita State's MLB contingent belonged entirely to Alec Bohm — and it had as much to do with a courtroom as it did a ballpark.

Lawsuit Settled, Then Bases Cleared

Before the Phillies opened their series against Atlanta on Friday, news broke that Bohm had reached a settlement in the lawsuit involving his parents — a legal dispute that had loomed over his season. The timing was striking: within hours of that resolution becoming public, Bohm was in the batter's box delivering two of Philadelphia's biggest hits of the evening.

Bohm drove in both Phillies runs in a 5-2 loss to the Braves, providing the lone offensive punch on a night when the Philadelphia lineup went hitless with runners in scoring position. Atlanta's Chris Sale outdueled Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez, and the offense's struggles in key moments proved the difference — but Bohm's 2-RBI effort ensured the Shockers' most prominent big leaguer didn't go quietly. He also drew a walk, finishing with a .246 batting average on the season.

The settlement puts to rest what had been an ongoing and distracting legal cloud. Sports Illustrated noted that Bohm can now "focus on the Phillies" with the matter resolved — a welcome development as Philadelphia pushes through the final stretch of the regular season.

A Seat for the Finale

Not every moment this week was a highlight reel. Bohm sat out the Phillies' series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sept. 2, a scheduled rest in a day-game-after-night-game scenario. The move was announced by the team before first pitch, a routine lineup management decision with no indication of injury. The Diamondbacks started right-hander Taylor Clarke as an opener in that contest.

The Rest of the Shockers

The other Wichita State alums on MLB rosters — Codi Heuer (Guardians), Sam Hilliard (Rockies), Luke Ritter (Mets), and Brock Rodden (Mariners) — did not generate notable headlines during the period. Bohm remains the clear standard-bearer for the program at the major league level.

The Bigger Picture

For Bohm, this week encapsulated the messy intersection of personal life and professional performance that defines a long baseball season. He didn't let an emotionally charged Friday derail his at-bats — and now, with the legal chapter closed, the Phillies' third baseman enters September's final sprint with one fewer distraction. For a team chasing postseason positioning, that clarity could matter.