Phillies To Move Bryce Harper To Outfield

The Phillies are making multiple defensive adjustments after the acquisition of second baseman Luis Arraez. The most notable move is two-time MVP Bryce Harper returning to the outfield. Bryson Stott will shift to third base, with Alec Bohm heading to first base.

Todd Zolecki of MLB.com was among the first to report the news. Manager Don Mattingly confirmed the plan to reporters before Monday’s game. Zolecki adds that Harper is expected to return to first base next season (Arraez is a pending free agent). The Phillies are rolling with their typical defensive alignment tonight against the Nationals. The new look will likely begin tomorrow, when Arraez joins the team.

Harper hasn’t played the outfield since 2022. He had elbow surgery that offseason, prompting a move to first base in 2023. He’s been on the dirt ever since. Harper has been a respectable defender after moving to the infield. He’s posted 3 Defensive Runs Saved in his career at first base.

It didn’t last long, but Harper was a tremendous outfielder when he first broke into the league. He put up a stellar 14 DRS in 139 games as a rookie with the Nationals in 2012. Most of that production came in center field. Harper’s defensive numbers bounced around from there, never reaching those heights again, before plummeting in his final year in Washington. He posted -21 DRS in 2018. Harper recovered with 12 DRS in 2019, his first season with the Phillies. His work with the glove lagged from there.

Arraez was open about wanting to stay at second base if he was traded. With Philly intent on honoring that request, Stott will move across the diamond. His MLB experience at third base consists of 15 innings in 2022. Stott isn’t unfamiliar with the left side of the infield, though, as he’s made 110 appearances at shortstop with the Phillies. He’s played exclusively second base this season.

Stott had been a standout defender at the keystone until this year. He’s scuffled to -8 DRS in 106 games. Statcast’s Outs Above Average metric is much rosier. Stott is at 6 OAA this season, right in line with his output from 2025. He’s only 28 years old and his sprint speed is still in the 82nd percentile, so athletically, he should be able to handle the position switch. Arm strength would be the concern. Stott has averaged 81.7 mph on throws this year, which ranks in the 32nd percentile. He hasn’t been in the upper half as a thrower since his rookie year in 2022.

Bohm has plenty of experience at first base. It should be a beneficial move for him. Bohm is having another rough season at third base, with -8 DRS in 102 games. He’s at -56 DRS at the hot corner since debuting in 2020. Bohm has been a decent enough option at first base, with -6 DRS for his career. His longest stretch at the position came in 2023 with Harper still working his way back from the arm injury. Bohm posted -2 DRS and -6 OAA at first base that season.

Shifting an entire defense for a player like Arraez would’ve seemed silly heading into the year, but he’s made improvements with the glove. Infield coach Ron Washington has helped him become a credible defender for the first time since his Marlins days. Arraez ranks second at the keystone with 11 OAA. His -2 DRS isn’t as appealing, but it’s still a step forward from his recent output.