It appears Harrison Bader’s time in Philadelphia is coming to a close. The Phillies’ free-agent outfielder took to social media yesterday, seemingly saying “goodbye” to the City of Brotherly Love.
Acquired at the trade deadline, Bader’s energetic approach brought a breath of fresh air to the Phillies clubhouse — and he didn’t disappoint at the plate. After the July 31 trade, Bader slashed .305/.361/.463 with 11 extra-base hits and 5 home runs in just 50 games, producing an .824 OPS — one of the best stretches of his career. His improved contact quality and plate discipline helped him consistently find gaps at Citizens Bank Park, while his speed and timely hitting made him a spark plug near the bottom of the lineup.
However, his bat and energy were noticeably missed in the NLDS. Bader was hampered by a leg injury in Game 1 and never fully recovered, limiting his impact in Philadelphia’s postseason push. His (likely) departure marks the end of a short but influential stint in Phillies pinstripes.