Another MVP Could Vault Phillies' Superstar Bryce Harper Into Top Spot at Position
MLB Network recently unveiled the top 10 first basemen in the league.
To no one's surprise, Philadelphia Phillies representative Bryce Harper came in at No. 2 behind Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Harper, a two-time Most Valuable Player, hasn't spent much time at first base. In fact, he's entering his first full season at that position.
The Atlanta Braves' Matt Olson, who set a franchise record with 54 home runs last season, is ranked third followed by Paul Goldschmidt of the St. Louis Cardinals, Yandy Diaz of the Tampa Bay Rays, Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays, free agent Brandon Belt, Christian Walker of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Triston Casas of the Boston Red Sox.
Harper returned incredibly early from Tommy John surgery to slash .293/.401/.499 with 21 home runs, 134 hits and 72 RBI last season.
Despite limited action at first base, Harper made the transition look almost seamless.
The slugger turned 31 in October and has guided the Phillies to the World Series in 2022 and the National League Championship Series in '23. While they came up just short of a World Series title, Harper overcame numerous injuries over the past two seasons to lead them in every way.
Despite being signed to a 13-year, $330 contract in 2019, Harper's agent Scott Boras said that his client is interested in an extension.
In such a short span, the star has become one of the most beloved Phillies in the history of the franchise.
"He has a lot of goals that he wants to achieve in Philadelphia," Boras recently told reporters. "Obviously, he's a Hall of Fame-type talent. He wants to keep his personal pursuits in the game there. He's been there five years, he's kind of shown them who he is and why he's a franchise player. I think he's changed the player community how players view Philadelphia and so consequently, he's come in and said, 'This is something I want off my mind. I want to play well beyond the contract that I have.'"
Now that Harper is healthy, rested and ready, it won't be a surprise if he reels off another MVP season and vaults past Freeman into the top spot on this list.
