Phillies: Joe Girardi has high praise for Bryce Harper

It is hard to believe, but we are just weeks away from Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper kicking off his third regular season in red pinstripes.

While other players have since signed larger, more historic free-agent contracts in Major League Baseball — most recently Fernando Tatis Jr. — the six-time All-Star essentially committing the rest of his career to Philadelphia still speaks wonders about his dedication to the club being championship-caliber for years to come.

Bryce Harper is already in the third year of his 13-year contract with the Phillies.

Through 215 games with the Phillies, Harper has slashed .262/.385/.518 with 200 hits, 45 being doubles, three triples, and 48 home runs. Also, Harper has slugged 147 RBI, while recording 148 walks and just 221 strikeouts spanning 926 plate appearances.

Despite battling a back injury in the latter half of this past season, the Las Vegas native persevered and slashed .583/.706/1.250 over the final four games, collecting three extra-base hits, five RBI, and five walks through 17 plate appearances. His efforts went for naught, however, as the team finished just one game shy of its first postseason berth since the franchise-best 102-win season in 2011.

Phillies manager Joe Girardi calls Bryce Harper a ‘true professional.’

In a recent interview on MLB Network’s High Heat with Chris Russo, Phillies manager Joe Girardi was not shy to praise Harper.

“I absolutely love his attitude. He wants to be in the lineup every day,” the 2009 World Series winning skipper said. “He was dealing with a back issue last year and tried to fight through it. There was one time I just said, ‘We have to find a way to give you a day off,’ because he never wants a day off.”

Girardi continued in saying that Harper plays hard and is “always prepared,” adding: “He is a true professional and I loved managing him. I look forward to managing him again this year.”

Similar to J.T. Realmuto, Girardi knows that he can rely on Harper and not have to worry about the right field position when penciling in his lineup. He has missed just seven games so far, and will surely try to play as many contests across the upcoming 162-game slate in 2021.