MVP in 2021 and Playoffs in 2022, Will Bryce Harper Now Lead the Philadelphia Phillies to Their First World Series Win Since 2008?

Some athletes are just made for baseball. Noticing the minutiae or understanding the bigger picture is not in everyone’s skillset. But Bryce Harper does it beautifully. Ever since the baseball world came to know of a teenager from Las Vegas who could hit tape-measure home runs, everyone was interested. The Washington Nationals got the first pick but it wouldn’t last. Harper, it seems, was destined for Philly.

The slugger came to the City of Brotherly Love in 2019, slowly getting into the rhythm of things. By 2021, he had his second NL MVP award in the bag. That was the spark that ignited the flame and Bryce Harper was unstoppable. He was instrumental in taking the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in 2022, winning NLCS MVP. Now as they stand on the cusp of another fall Classic, how will 2023 end?

Bryce Harper Set In Motion Something Unstoppable in 2022

For the first time since 2011, the Philadelphia Phillies made the playoffs in 2022. In an invincible season, the club played in October and positively dominated, blazing their way through the Wild Card, then the Division Series, and finally the Championship Series. It was as if a whirlwind tore through Philly, setting aflame the team’s spirits. At the epicenter was, of course, Bryce Harper.

In the bottom of the eighth in Game 5 against the Padres, the slugger hit a go-ahead two-run home run that would prove to be game-winning. It sent the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series for the first time since 2009, but unfortunately, it ended the same way. Back then, it was a loss to the Yankees; in 2022 it was the Astros. But what about 2023?

After a rather average season, the Phillies have once again claimed a streak of red-hot victories. Up against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS, Bryce Harper has made home run history with teammate Nick Castellanos. A move to first base despite never having played there before has worked in the team’s favor. Harper ended September with +2 outs above average and is slowly getting the hang of the position.

Can the most famous face of the team pull off another miracle? It seemed possible when he came back from Tommy John surgery in exactly half the time it takes the average player to recover. It then begs the question, is he superhuman? Teammate Trea Turner certainly thinks so.

Harper’s Inhuman Baseball Abilities Make Him Invaluable

It’s not just that Bryce Harper has an excellent slugging percentage or can hit home runs. It’s also the fact that he understands baseball, and he understands the Phillies. When Rhys Hoskins tore his ACL in Spring Training 2023, the Fightin’ Phils were in despair. Harper was already recovering from surgery and wasn’t expected back until at least the All-Star break. What now?

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But then the slugger suggested a move to first base, Alec Bohm moved to third base, and Kyle Schwarber from left field to DH. It was marvelous. It has taken the Phillies to where they are today. Harper is still learning the position but as infield coach Bobby Dickerson said, “Trea [Turner] called him Superman the other day. What he does for us is incredible.” 

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As the franchise looks for its third World Series victory, most rest assured that Bryce Harper will be the man for the job.