'Anything that gets us into October': Bryce knows where Phils need to be

'Anything that gets us into October': Bryce knows where Phils need to be

March 6th, 2024

You’d hardly be surprised to hear that Bryce Harper has big expectations for himself and the Phillies in 2024.

In an interview with MLB Network Radio on Tuesday, Harper talked about his transition to becoming a full-time first baseman, not having to deal with Tommy John surgery rehab this year and his expectations for the Phillies getting back to the postseason.

“We just got to go about it the right way, and if we do get that third Wild Card, I’ll take it,” Harper said. “I’ll take the first or second Wild Card. I’ll take the division. Anything that gets us into October.”

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The Phillies are coming off two straight seasons of making deep October runs. Following their stunning appearance in the 2022 World Series against the eventual champion Astros, they nearly made it back in ’23, carrying a 3-2 NLCS lead into Game 6 at home but ultimately falling short to the upstart D-backs in seven games.

Harper has been front and center for the Phillies during this stretch -- excelling in both the regular season and postseason. The Phillies star has an .890 OPS in the regular season since ‘22 and has taken it up a notch with an otherworldly 1.137 OPS in 30 postseason games in that span.

Following Tommy John surgery during the 2022-23 offseason, Harper returned to an MLB game just 160 days after surgery. After spending the first two months of the ‘23 season strictly as a designated hitter, he transitioned to first base -- a position that he’ll now occupy full-time after spending his entire career in the outfield.

“I’m doing all the right things and trying to learn the position as much as possible,” Harper said. “It’s nice to be in the action at all times and be able to be back in the infield and doing those things. So definitely got a lot in front of me, but very excited.”

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