Bryce Harper for 2021 NL MVP? (8/5/21)

The MLB regular season is nearing the finish line, as their are only two months remaining in the season. The Phillies are knocking on the door step of first place in the NL East, as they are only 1.5 games behind the Mets.

Since the start of July, the Phillies have a record of 18–12 while their offense is starting to heat up, and a big reason for that is because of the phenomenal play of Bryce Harper.

Over his last 30 games, he has six home runs, 20 RBI’s (Runs Batted In), and a batting average of .371. Can’t convince me that those aren’t MVP type numbers.

Compared to players throughout the league, Harper is 11th in batting average, 2nd behind young superstar Juan Soto in OBP (On Base Percentage), 8th in SLG (Slugging Percentage), 5th in OPS (On Base Plus Slugging), and he leads the team in stolen bases with twelve.

Harper has rung the bell when called upon and has been one of the more clutch hitters in all of baseball. He is fourth in wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus). He is one of the league leaders in batting average with runners in scoring position.

Other than offense, Harper has made an impact on defense to, as he is currently fifth amongst all right fielders in fielding percentage, and has been one of the better defensive players on the Phillies.

The greatest facet of Harper’s game is when he is hot at the plate, the rest of the team follows it up. Eversince his resurgence, the team’s offense has started to score more points, which has ultimately led to more wins, and less of a heavy burden on the starting pitching staff and the bullpen.

Harper is playing the best baseball of his Phillies career, and in order for the franchise to end their lengthy ten year playoff drought, then he needs to continue to play like an MVP.