Bryce Harper DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper established himself as one of the league's best defensive first baseman in 2024 in his first full season playing the position. But in the offseason, he offered to return to the outfield if the Phillies were to acquire a big bat (such as Pete Alonso) to play first base. It came after Harper said in February of last year that he never wanted to move back to the outfield. The 32-year-old two-time MVP says he's still open to moving back to right field if the Phillies were to acquire a first baseman at the trade deadline this summer. "The main goal is to win the World Series." Alonso re-signed with the Mets, but perhaps the Phillies look to trade for Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is in the final year of his deal. Offensively, Harper returned to the 30-homer mark in 2024 and will come off the board in the early rounds of drafts as one of the best first baseman available.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (triceps) will return to the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Friday against the Boston Red Sox after he was hit by a pitch on Wednesday. Harper was removed from Wednesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays as a precaution after suffering a right-triceps contusion. The Phillies gave the 32-year-old two-time MVP the day off at camp on Thursday. The eight-time All-Star is still looking for his first World Series ring heading into his 14th MLB season in 2025. He has taken well to the move from right field to first base and slashed .285/.373/.525 with an .898 OPS, 30 home runs, 87 RBI, seven steals and 85 runs scored in 145 games a year ago in his sixth year in Philadelphia. In a strong Phillies lineup, Harper is one of the safest fantasy selections at first base and is ranked No. 3 at the position at RotoBaller.

Updating a previous report, the Philadelphia Phillies think first baseman Bryce Harper (triceps) will be fine after he was hit by a pitch in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to manager Rob Thomson. Harper left the game immediately in the sixth inning and has a contusion in the right triceps area. "They're not overly concerned," Thomson said. The Phillies will check on Harper again on Thursday. The 32-year-old former MVP won't play on Thursday, but he should be just fine moving forward. Fantasy managers also shouldn't have anything to worry about. Harper reached the 30-homer mark for the fifth time in his career in 2024 and also had 40-plus doubles for the second time in his career. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 3 fantasy first baseman and the No. 22 overall player this spring.