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Phillies’ Bryce Harper Makes Frank Comments Amid Slump

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mike Ostrowski | Last updated May 4, 2025 8:10 PM ET

Most of the Phillies' bats have been heating up, with the club winning their last three series. The most notable exception is franchise star Bryce Harper, who has been preforming far below his ability. In his last 12 games, Harper is hitting just 8-for-47 (.170) with three RBI and 14 strikeouts.

After Sunday's game, Tim Kelly of OnPattison asked Harper about how he's felt at the plate recently.

"I'm just frustrated," Harper said. "I just want to come through for the team and play well. Obviously I've been through ruts in my career, gone through ups and downs worse than what I'm on right now.... I just gotta play better."

Bryce Harper discusses his frustration with his recent offensive results.

(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/ds7zC0SK1Q
— On Pattison (@OnPattison) May 4, 2025

Sunday was Harper's first game not spent at first base this season - he was the DH instead - and he had his best day in quite some time, with an opposite field home run, a single, and a walk. Still, it raised his season average to only .234 - well down from his .280 career average.

Harper's OBP is a much more respectable. 364 thanks to 26 walks, and he does have six homers, but he knows that the Phils are going to need more from him.

Harper and the Phillies sit at 19-15, second in the NL East and three games behind the New York Mets in the National League East. The NL is stacked with teams in the hunt for Wild Card spots, meaning Philly has to take advantage of the few easier opponents they face.

The next few weeks award them those opportunities, with 13 of the next 16 games coming against teams with losing records. Those include trips to Tampa Bay and Denver plus home series with the Cardinals and Pirates.

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

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