With role still unclear, Harrison Bader ready to continue strong season in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA – Dressed in a sleeveless Alice Cooper shirt, baggy pants and a Detroit Red Wings hat, new Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader greeted Phillies teammates as he walked through the home clubhouse. Managing partner John Middleton strolled in looking for him and new closer Jhoan Duran. 

“Thanks for coming,” Middleton said as he met Bader at his new locker. 

Bader was acquired in a deadline day deal that sent outfielder Hendry Mendez and right-handed pitcher Geremy Villoria to the Minnesota Twins. He’ll be a boost to an outfield that has struggled to produce all year.

Bader has been through this before. He was traded at the deadline from the St. Louis Cardinals to the New York Yankees in 2022 and put on waivers by his hometown team and claimed by the Cincinnati Reds in 2023. A New York City native who has played for both the Yankees and Mets, Bader is also accustomed to the pressure of East Coast baseball. 

“Being from the Northeast, I understand the Northeast fan mentality and playing in front of those caliber fans,” Bader said. “Listen, I was extremely excited to always be here as a visitor. Now to be on the other side, I think it’s just full circle.” 

Bader entered the free agent market last year as a glove-first center fielder. As the Phillies shopped for bounce back outfielders on a one-year deal, Bader was not someone they seriously considered. The club’s internal models did not have Bader producing well above his career norms. 

Bader is batting .258 with a .778 OPS, the highest since his career-best year with the Cardinals in 2021. Health is part of it. Adjustments have been the key. 

“I was kind of in between stride lengths and distance with my feet in the box,” Bader said. “Kind of just wasn’t fully myself. Trying to work through it and being fully healthy this year and paired with just really good information and preparation, I think it has allowed me to just kind of be myself and get my swing off as often as I can in the box offensively.” 

His first start as a Phillie will likely come on Saturday against AL Cy Young favorite Tarik Skubal. The Phillies, at least until the end of this homestand, will continue to roll with two platoons in the outfield. Thomson sees Bader as the club’s best defensive center fielder, especially with Johan Rojas back in the minors. Rojas will play the corner spots in the minor leagues, with top outfield prospect Justin Crawford continuing to get reps in center field. 

“He needs consistent at-bats,” Thomson said about Rojas. “Again, try to simplify his swing, use the bunting game a little more. Just play every day.” 

One of the teammates Bader greeted with a hug in the clubhouse is Max Kepler. For now, the 32-year-old is still on the roster. He has not been benched. He is batting seventh and playing left field on Friday against right-hander Jack Flaherty. The Phillies have liked his recent at-bats, saying he has run into bad luck. 

He is second to Kyle Schwarber on the Phillies in hard-hit outs since the All-Star break. The at-bats have been better, but the results have to come for him to keep his job beyond this homestand. 

“He’s swinging the bat good now,” Thomson said about Kepler. “Like I said, there’s not much to show for it. He’s barreling a lot of balls up. He’s playing really good defense.” 

The Phillies are continuing with the platoon arrangement, with Kepler and Weston Wilson in left and Marsh and Bader in center because the Phillies are scheduled to face a left-hander every other day up until the end of the Baltimore series. The Tigers have two righties and the lefty Skubal. The Orioles could have two lefty starters sandwiched between a righty. 

The arrangement is subject to change. Bader has even splits this year. Thomson has indicated that he would be comfortable starting Bader against right-handed pitchers. 

Bader said he will accept whatever role is given to him. 

“I’m just going to help this team win,” Bader said. “Like we all know, I’ve kind of been injected into a playoff race. All the notions of ego or me and my playing time, that will go out the window. I’m here to win. I’m here to help this team win. And I want a shot at the World Series.”