Bryce Harper's first season as a Phillie had been given the label of a "down year" somewhere along the way. But that's just not true.
Harper, in 150 games this season, is slashing .257/.374/.501 with an .875 OPS (on-base + slugging), 33 home runs, 108 RBIs, 99 walks, and 14 stolen bases. He's also played an excellent right field, defensively.
"Bryce has been an exceptional player across the board for us," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said on Wednesday's 94WIP Morning Show. "He's come up clutch for us so many times, performed at the plate. We've seen that he gives everything he has in the outfield and on the base paths. Angelo, this is a guy who wants to win and will do anything he can to make it happen. In the clubhouse he's been nothing short of a leader. He wants to play everyday, he's a grinder, he's been a dream to manage, he communicates, he's always responsive and he's just generally a person you want to be around."
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Kapler also told a story about a conversation he had with Bryce and how impressive his detailed memory is.
"I spoke to Bryce for the first couple of innings of last night's game, we chatted on the top step of the dugout and we talked about many of his at bats," Kapler said. "He has incredible recall. He can talk through any of the pitches and the plate appearances of the year in detail. Every pitch he remembers and what he was thinking during that pitch. It was pretty mind blowing last night."
The Phillies are five games away from wrapping up one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history. The good news is, Bryce Harper will be a Phillie for the next decade-plus.
