Philadelphia, we agree that it is Bryce Harper’s club. The team’s first baseman is clearly the heart and soul of his team.
It is towards him that the cameras are turned. It’s his opinion that we want.
He was the one who convinced the Phillies a few years ago to keep JT Realmuto on the team. It’s his opinion we want when it comes time to sign guys.
I know he didn’t play with Kyle Schwarber in Washington, but clearly, Harper probably used his contacts to endorse his free agent candidacy. And today, they dominate together.
It’s his opinion that we want when it comes to talking about a teammate. And yesterday, he praised Zack Wheeler – and with good reason, we will say it.
But he also did it with Bryson Stott.
He may not be his team’s most dominant player since the start of the playoffs, but no one is asking him to be either. He simply has to do his job…and he does it.
Yesterday, following Stott’s big defensive play, he wasn’t afraid to say that the second baseman was the best at his position in the Majors.
Remember that Ketel Marte, Marcus Semien (even if he doesn’t have good series) and Jose Altuve are the other second basemen still alive in the playoffs.
This is a good position for clubs still alive.
There is currently a trend at this level for existing clubs. And clearly, the Phillies have nothing to be ashamed of their second baseman.
They don’t have much to be ashamed of, you might say… but hey.
