Phillies' Bryce Harper Announces Personal News Before Dodgers Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Oct 4, 2025 4:55 PM ET

Key Points:

Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies star, welcomes fourth child ahead of NLDS vs. Dodgers.
Harper heating up with 17 home runs in his last 64 games.
Veteran slugger still chasing first World Series title with Phillies.

The Philadelphia Phillies are set for a heavyweight matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers beginning on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies will look to get started early against Dodgers starter Shohei Ohtani with an NLCS appearance on the line.

Headlining the Phillies list of talented stars is Bryce Harper, who has continued to dominate opposing pitching in his 14th major-league season. The 32-year-old veteran first baseman had begun to heat up in the second half, posting a .262 batting average, .338 on-base percentage, .862 OPS and 17 home runs over his last 64 games. Harper played a huge role in stepping up while his teammates dealt with injuries, and as a result, Philadelphia claimed a first-round bye.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3)Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

With Harper focused on his efforts on the field, he announced exciting personal news before Game 1 against Los Angeles. Harper and his wife, Kayla Harper, took to Instagram to announce the birth of the couple’s fourth child. The Harpers wrote, “Decided to add more chaos to Red October — Hayes Three Harper.”

The couple’s growing family includes sons Krew and Braxton and daughter Brooklyn, each of whom has made occasional appearances at the ballpark and in Harper’s postgame interviews. Harper has often spoken about how fatherhood keeps him grounded and motivated, crediting Kayla for her support throughout his career and their life together.

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A post shared by Kayla Harper (@kayy.harper)

With Harper’s family expanding just as the Phillies begin their postseason push, the timing adds another layer of motivation for the left-handed slugger. Harper has had an impressive career thus far, capturing the 2012 NL Rookie of the Year, two NL MVPs, eight All-Star selections and four Silver Sluggers.

However, Harper is still searching for his first World Series title to add to his trophy case and solidify his Hall of Fame worthy career. Time is no longer on Harper’s side as he approaches his mid-30s, and the Phillies may feature a new core next year with Zack Wheeler, Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber’s futures all uncertain after 2025.

Game 1 of the Phillies-Dodgers series is scheduled for 6:38 p.m. on Saturday on TBS, truTV and HBO Max.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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