That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

3 Phillies who need to step up in Bryce Harper’s absence

By Gabrielle Starr

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - MARCH 28: Kyle Schwarber #12 and Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after Schwarber hit a home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles during a Grapefruit League spring training game at BayCare Ballpark on March 28, 2022 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - MARCH 28: Kyle Schwarber #12 and Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after Schwarber hit a home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles during a Grapefruit League spring training game at BayCare Ballpark on March 28, 2022 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Phillies J.T. Realmuto
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 18: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

J.T. Realmuto

After Harper left Saturday’s game with his injury, Realmuto hit a home run to help the Phillies take the game 4-2.

Unfortunately, that bomb doesn’t change the fact that Realmuto is putting up the worst numbers of his four years in Philly, and some of the worst of his entire nine-year career. His .237/.316/.364 line and .680 OPS are a precipitous drop from his All-Star season last year when he slugged 25 doubles and 17 home runs in 134 games. This season, he has 11 doubles and five homers in his first 65 games.

While Schwarber and Castellanos can play the New Guy card and say they’re still getting used to Citizens Bank Park – though that excuse will get old fast – Realmuto has no leg to stand on. His backup catcher, Garrett Stubbs, has almost as many home runs, in just 17 games.

Bottom line, the Phillies have a lot of power potential in their lineup. They just need to figure out how to unlock it. Winning for Harper should be a pretty good motivator.

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