Phillies all-time best starting lineup based on WAR

Designated hitter: Bryce Harper (20.6 fWAR)

Following agreeing to a mammoth contract with the Phillies five years ago, it didn't take long for Bryce Harper to become one of the most popular sports figures in Philadelphia sports. He immediately became the face of the franchise. He has said and done everything right to make the fan base embrace him. He wants to win a World Series for the city.

Harper has done his due diligence to recruit other players to join him with the Phillies. Two recent examples of this occurred over the last two offseasons. It worked with shortstop Trea Turner, who agreed to a large contract with the organization after the 2022 season. He did his part in attempting to persuade pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to sign with Philly last offseason, but that didn't work out.

Harper's OPS is one of the best in Phillies history. Harper's .931 OPS currently ranks third all-time among all qualified players behind outfielders Lefty O'Doul and Chuck Klein. The former right fielder turned first baseman has had many special moments during his tenure with the team even though he played his first seven seasons with the Washington Nationals.

So far, his most memorable moment has been his two-run home run that gave Philly a lead late in Game 5 of the 2022 NLCS that propelled them to the World Series. Harper received the NLCS MVP Award as a result of his play during the series against the San Diego Padres.

Harper made the All-Star game with Philly in 2022 and received his second NL MVP Award of his career with the team in 2021. He was also named to the All-MLB First Team and received his second NL Hank Aaron Award in 2021. The infielder received two of his three Silver Slugger Awards during the 2021 and 2023 seasons.

He has yet to achieve a World Series MVP and win a championship. If he has his way, he will help the Phillies win a World Series in 2024.

More Phillies all-time lists from That Ball's Outta Here