Watch Phillies’ Bryce Harper absolutely destroy this baseball

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Watch Phillies’ Bryce Harper absolutely destroy this baseball

Originally posted on MLB on ClutchPoints
By Steve Silverman, ClutchPoints | Last updated May 16, 2026 6:51 PM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies made a huge managerial change in late April when it looked their season was going down the drain. The decision to fire Rob Thomson and replace him with Don Mattingly has been something of a rebirth for the team. The Phillies were 9-19 at the time of the managerial change, but their 6-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday allowed the team to get to the .500 mark at 23-23. The key to the surge has been the home run power of Kyle Schwarber , but it was Bryce Harper who put his imprint on the team’s latest victory.

You don't see baseballs go there very often https://t.co/ea6cqsLAz6 pic.twitter.com/HmEGtipVo9

— MLB (@MLB) May 16, 2026

Harper hammered an eye-catching home run in the top of the first inning when he drove a pitch from starter Bubba Chandler 457 feet into the batter’s eye at PNC Park. The home run was the 11th of the season for the Phillies’ first baseman.

While Harper’s productivity does not compare with Schwarber’s 20 home runs and 35 runs batted in, he is having a productive season. Harper is slashing .282/.372/.534 with 26 runs batted in. He has 46 base hits and 24 bases on balls.

The Phillies are certainly a long way behind the first place Atlanta Braves as they are 8.5 games behind the Braves. However, the home run power of Schwarber and Harper have the Phillies moving in the right direction after their slow start. They are 4.0 games out a Wild Card spot in the National League.

If the Phillies can finish off a road sweep of the Pirates, they will have put together a 5-1 mark on their road trip to Boston and Pittsburgh. The Phillies return home Monday to host a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds.

This article first appeared on MLB on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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