Phillies: Bryce Harper earns first award nomination of MLB offseason

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is a finalist for his second Silver Slugger award

The annual Silver Slugger award nominees have been announced, and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper is among them.

Duh.

Over 141 games in 2021, Harper hit .309/.429/.615 with a 1.044 OPS. He was tied for the MLB lead with 42 doubles, a new career-high, and he hit 35 home runs, scored 101, and drove in 84.

Harper also led MLB in slugging percentage, OPS, OPS+, runs created, extra-base hits, and offensive win %, to name a few metrics. He and fellow nominee Juan Soto are the only two players in the National League with 100+ walks this season, and no other batter walked more than 85 times.

Here’s how Harper ranked among National League batters:

WAR Position Players: 9th (5.9)
Offensive WAR: 3rd (6.5)
AVG: 3rd (.309)
OBP: 2nd (.429)
SLG: 1st (.615)
OPS: 1st (1.044)
Runs scored: 6th (101)
Total bases: 7th (300)
Doubles: 1st (42)
HR: 6th (35)
Walks: 2nd (100)

Silver Sluggers have been awarded since 1980 to the best offensive players at each position. Harper won the award once before, in 2015. His last Silver Slugger season was also his MVP season, something he will hopefully repeat this year as well.

Catcher J.T. Realmuto is also a finalist. He hit .263/.343/.439 with a .782 OPS, 25 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs, and 13 stolen bases in 134 games this season.

The Phillies’ front office should be spending the offseason building around Harper and Realmuto. Offensive power of this level shouldn’t be wasted in 2022.