Aug 25, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) throws out New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) (not pictured) after fielding a ground ball during the second inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images Gregory Fisher
MILWAUKEE — If you watch Trea Turner or Alec Bohm field a ball, they'll often do so on a back-hand. And this isn't just on balls where back-handing — which has always been a part of baseball — is the only option.
Trea Turner of the Phillies is pure magic at shortstop. His smooth fielding and quick reflexes make every play look effortless. Whether it’s a diving catch or a lightning-fast throw, he’s a true defensive wizard! 🧤
#Phillies #TreaTurner #MLB #Baseball #Defense #SmoothOperator… pic.twitter.com/mFTaFQIZ3P
— Mr. Scully Sports (@ScullySports) July 17, 2024
On a majority of plays not to their left, Turner and Bohm will attack with their left leg in front of their right leg, taking the ball off to the side and putting themselves in a position to throw if they field the ball cleanly. The purpose of this story isn't to say whether this infield strategy is right or wrong, but to acknowledge it's different than what has traditionally be taught across most levels of the sport. It's not the vacuum technique where you field a ball in front of you with your legs more parallel to each other, concentrating on gathering the ball then transitioning into a throw, all while leaving yourself a margin for error to at least keep the ball in front of you if not fielded cleanly. Again, the goal here isn't to say one is right or wrong, but to acknowledge this is how Phillies infielders — particularly those on the left side of the infield — are instructed and to understand what the thinking is.
Phillies' infielding coach Bobby Dickerson explained his teaching to On Pattison.
"Well, I believe in catching a ground ball versus fielding a ground ball," Dickerson said. "That's what I teach."
Dickerson then asked a simple question.
"How do you catch a fly ball?"
The natural response, especially if a runner is on base and there are less than two outs, would be to catch it in a position ready to come up throwing. Certainly, your legs aren't parallel to each other.
"You catch a fly ball back-handed," Dickerson answered. "A pitcher catches a throw back from the catcher back-handed. A catcher catches almost every pitch from the pitcher back-handed, thumb down.
"So if the hop permits itself, if you're good enough with your feet to get the hop at the top of the hop, then I don't have a problem with guys catching the ball that was on the ground that has now bounced up the same way fly balls, line drives, thrown balls, every other ball is caught."
Alec Bohm demonstrates the fielding technique taught by Phillies' infielding coach Bobby Dickerson. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)It's hard to argue with the results that Bohm has gotten under the tutelage of Dickerson, who resumed his position as infielding coach in 2022, after a pair of seasons on the staff of the San Diego Padres. Early in Bohm's career, he looked like he would have to be moved off of third base. Between 2022 and 2023, FanGraphs says that Bohm was worth minus-30 defensive runs saved and minus-10 outs above average at third base. But since the start of 2024, Bohm has been worth minus-three defensive runs saved and four outs above average. For the less analytically-inclined, your eyes also tell you that Bohm, while still not a Gold Glove-level defender, has made massive improvements in the field.
Turner's first two seasons with the Phillies were a disaster in the field, as he posted 40 errors, minus-26 defensive runs saved and minus-eight outs above average. Granted, those years were also under Dickerson. But in his third year working with Dickerson, it's possible that Turner — who seemed destined for another position last winter — will be a Gold Glove finalist at shortstop. He's cut his errors down to eight this season, while posting two defensive runs saved and 16 outs above average, which is tied for the fifth-most among all defenders. Not only has Turner been passable at shortstop this year, he's been, improbably, downright good.
Dickerson's method might not be what is taught to little leaguers, but it seems to be working for Phillies infielders.
"I just try to eliminate with our guys, the thought process of fielding," Dickerson revealed. "Because it gives a negative connotation to how you catch a ball in general. And the rest of the league, I don't really care what they do. My job is to help our guys be a little bit better than they were the day before. And that's what I hope we do."
