Phillies hint at deeply odd position change that could upend Bryce Harper's future

Is Bryce Harper elite? That's the question the Philadelphia Phillies have been (very publicly) asking since the end of last season.

Things aren't exactly off to a roaring start in 2026 for the two-time MVP. He's hitting a paltry .100/.182/.100 through the team's first five games, and he's even caught some flack from the defensive metrics, "earning" -2 Defensive Runs Saved in that time.

So, perhaps it's not a surprise that the Phillies are trying out some other players at the position. Good first base defense helps an entire infield, and Harper's numbers have slipped drastically since an impressive 2024 showing.

What is surprising is who the Phillies are giving some first base opportunities to.

Surely the response to this will be level-headed.

Kyle Schwarber's first base practice must be a last resort for Phillies

Keen-eyed observers will remember that this isn't technically a "new" development; the Phillies were testing Schwarber out at the cold corner as recently as last spring.

Of course, he never got into a regular season game at the position, and he hasn't played it since 2021 with the Boston Red Sox (in fact, he's never played first base with any other team). He certainly didn't do an outstanding job in his limited time there (-3 DRS in 75 innings), but his bat is more than thunderous enough to make up for any shortcomings with his glove.

It's never a bad idea to hone in on some contingency plans, but it's also not like Harper has fallen off a cliff. Yes, his initial 2026 sample isn't worth writing home about, but he's working with a refined plate approach that should level out his numbers as the season progresses.

Plus, it's not like a position switch is guaranteed to turn Harper's bat around. Though he'll never be able to match the prolific numbers he posted in his prime as a right fielder, the 33-year-old's career numbers as a first baseman (.873 OPS) and designated hitter (.883 OPS) are shockingly similar.

Schwarber, meanwhile, has been much better while allowed to focus exclusively on hitting; as a DH, his career OPS stands at .875. When playing any position in the field, that number sinks to .837.

With so much invested in both these players (they're making a combined $55 million AAV over each of the next five seasons), it's not worth messing with what's worked unless absolutely necessary. As two of the most important hitters in the Phillies' lineup, the team owes both a little patience before such a drastic position switch is fully considered.