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Bryce Harper leading All-Star voting despite injuries

By Gabrielle Starr

Apr 14, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) looks on after flying out to end the game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) looks on after flying out to end the game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bryce Harper leading All-Star DH voting, but will likely sit out the game due to injury

Bryce Harper might have a tear in his UCL and an infected blister on his hand, but it’s not stopping him from demolishing baseballs.

Over his first 60 games, he’s hitting .326/.391/.622 with a 1.013 OPS. That .622 slugging percentage leads the National League, and his 75 hits include 21 doubles and 15 home runs. Among all NL batters, he’s tied for fourth in offensive WAR and ranks fourth in batting average and on-base percentage, third in total bases and runs scored, and second in OPS and OPS+.

As a result of his offensive prowess, the Philadelphia Phillies slugger is currently leading All-Star voting in the Designated Hitter category. Harper, Mookie Betts, and Ronald Acuña Jr. are the only NL players with more than 1M votes at this point in the campaign.

While many would assume that it’s vindicating for Harper to see the tidal wave of support after last year’s All-Star snub, he’s made it clear that individual glory isn’t his focus. During his MVP race last summer, he turned off the comments on his social media to stay focused, and when he won the award in the fall, he said it only made him “hungry” for more. He kicked off this season with a galvanizing speech, telling Phillies fans the goal was a championship parade.

Unfortunately for fans hoping Harper will show up to the midsummer classic, it’s likely he’ll sit it out regardless of the final voting results. With his UCL injury, he needs all the R&R he can get, and the Phillies need him far more than the All-Star Game does.

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