The All-Star Game in Philadelphia this week will bring plenty of star power to the city, and Bryce Harper is walking into it with a message that goes beyond the box score.
Harper, who is back for another All-Star appearance during what has been a solid first half for the Phillies, said he wants to use the moment to help the next wave of players coming up behind him.
“Being able to transition into a phase where I'm a little bit older, and all of these kids that are here now grew up watching me play, so I just want to do anything I can to help them in any way. I don't care if you play for another team or not. Obviously, I don't want you to have success against us during the regular season, but if they have a question for me, I hope they find value in my experience and value in what I can tell them,” said Harper, per SPORTSRADIO 94WIP on X, formerly Twitter.
He also pointed back to his own early days in the event, saying he remembered being one of the “kids” at his first All-Star Game more than a decade ago, when Atlanta Braves legend Chipper Jones was making his final appearance.
At 33, Harper is still playing like a star with plenty left in the tank, and the tone he set was a polished one. The Phillies, meanwhile, have steadied themselves after a shaky start and have nearly closed the gap on the Atlanta Braves in the NL East race.
The All-Star Game is scheduled for Tuesday evening.
In Other News...
Phillies Suddenly Have A Justin Crawford Question They Can't Ignore
Justin Crawfords recent progress has given the Phillies a little reason for optimism, but his situation is still one they have to watch closely. The young outfielder had been dealing with left knee soreness and was scratched from the lineup on Friday, a reminder that even a brief absence can complicate the picture for a team trying to map out its next few weeks.
The bigger issue is what Crawfords status means for Philadelphias outfield plans as the trade deadline approaches. If hes ready to contribute soon, the Phillies can afford to be more patient in how they address the position, but if his availability lingers in question, the front office may have to rethink how aggressively it pursues help. [Read more 🡒]
Byron Buxton Just Addressed The Twins Trade Rumors Himself
Byron Buxton took the guesswork out of one of the Phillies more familiar trade-rumor threads during the All-Star Game, making it clear he does not plan to leave Minnesota. The Twins center fielder had been viewed as a possible fit for Philadelphia because of the clubs need for a right-handed hitting outfielder at the deadline, but Buxtons stance effectively shuts that door before the market really starts to move.
For the Phillies, that means the search goes on elsewhere as they sort through their options. Right-handed bats such as Taylor Ward, Jo Adell and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. remain part of the broader conversation, and Philadelphia will have to decide whether to press ahead on that kind of profile or pivot to a different answer as the deadline approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Kyle Schwarber Finally Weighed In On MLB's Derby Change
Kyle Schwarber had a fresh take on the Home Run Derbys new setup when he talked about it on ESPNs The Pat McAfee Show, and the Phillies slugger sounded comfortable with the change. Instead of racing against a timer, hitters will now work through a fixed number of swings, with 20 in the first round and 15 in the later rounds, a tweak Schwarber said should be easier on players bodies than trying to keep up a full-speed barrage for two or three straight minutes.
For Schwarber, the bigger adjustment may not even belong to the hitter. He pointed out that the pitcher feeding balls into the derby will have to recalibrate the whole operation, from where to stand to how hard to throw, and even adjust to throwing to a catcher rather than a batting-practice backdrop. It is the kind of behind-the-scenes wrinkle that can matter just as much as the format itself, especially for a showcase built around rhythm, timing and repetition. [Read more 🡒]