The Philadelphia Phillies signed Bryce Harper to a huge 13-year, $330 million dollar contract in 2019, to be the centerpiece of their franchise and get them back to the postseason. Adding an all-time playoff performance to an already impressive Phillies tenure would be the icing on the cake for Harper.
Harper won the National League MVP in 2021. It was the second time he has won the award. First time as a Phillie. He was off to a even better start this until being hit by a pitch that broke his left thumb. Since coming back from injury, Harper has struggled at the plate. He still finished with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs in 99 games.
Harper has 19 games of postseason experience with the Washington Nationals. He has 5 home runs and is hitting .211.
Bryce Harper is the Phillies’s best player, regardless of how well they played while he was injured this season. Had Harper been healthy, one can only imagine what this team could have done record-wise. Harper is on the big stage right now, I expect that he will rise to the occasion with a strong playoff performance.
Harper is the Phillies’ leader and he wears his emotions on his sleeves. He is going to give this team everything he has this weekend in St. Louis and beyond if they advance.
If Harper is able to get hot at the right time, he can easily add himself to the likes of Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Mike Schmidt as all-time playoff performers.
Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies. Photo courtsey of Matt Slocum/Associated Press
