Aug 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader celebrates hitting a single against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. (Grace Del Pizzo/On Pattison)
The Phillies weren't exactly sure how they were going to replace Trea Turner as the leadoff hitter while he recovers from his hamstring strain.
On Monday, they tried Bryce Harper in that spot. He went 0-for-4 and wasn't there on Tuesday.
He was replaced by Harrison Bader. The conventional wisdom was that Thomson would use Bader in the leadoff spot against lefties - which the Phillies were facing on Tuesday when the Mets started Sean Manaea.
Asked why he liked Bader in the leadoff spot, Thomson noted how well Bader has been hitting.
"He's hot right now," Thomson said before Tuesday's game. "He's swinging the bat good and with the lefthander on the mound we can just get another righthander up there."
It made sense.
Thomson was then asked if it was something he'd just do against lefties or if it was on the table for righties as well.
"Oh, I don't think I'd do it against righthanders," he said. But, case-by-case."
Did Rob Thomson commit to only hitting Harrison Bader leadoff against lefties? No one knows😂
(via @AntSanPhilly, @MrUram) pic.twitter.com/NM5H1iF2Sk
Bader then went out and had a three-hit game on Tuesday in the Phillies 9-3 win. It was his seventh game in the last 17 in which he had at least three hits.
In that time, he's 26-for-59 (.441) with an OPS of 1.213.
So, maybe it shouldn't be a surprise that when Wednesday's lineup was released, Bader was once again atop it, even though the Mets were starting Clay Holmes - a righty.
When Rob was asked about it, he played a little coy with the wording of his response from a day earlier.
"Well, I don't think I committed one way or another," he said. "I said day-to-day and that's what it is. He had a big night last night so we want to run it back through again."
Bader continues to make the Phillies rethink a lot of things. The way he's played since he's arrived has re-shaped the outfield and made it infinitely better than it was before he got here.
Just another three-hit game for Harrison Bader. Wonder how many people who felt underwhelmed by his addition back on July 31st are feeling the same way today?
Since his arrival, the combination of Bader, Brandon Marsh, Max Kepler, Nick Castellanos and Weston Wilson is slashing .278/.330/.470 for an .800 OPS. They have combined for 25 doubles, two triples, 17 homers and 51 RBIs in 37 games.
The Phillies are 24-13. The outfield rotation, platoon, wave-riding, whatever the heck you want to call it, is working.
But it's not just Bader's offense that is helping. That's apparent for all to see. But it's more than that.
"Aside from the talent on the field, he's just a good personality to have," said Garret Stubbs, who knows Bader well. Not only are their lockers adjacent to each other in the clubhouse, but the two were slated to play for Team Israel together in the World Baseball Classic in 2023 before Bader had to withdraw with an injury. Bader has already committed to playing for Israel in the 2026 WBC.
Harrison Bader as a Phillie:
33 G, .333/.398/.533 (.932 ops), 4 HR, 13 RBI
What an addition he’s been to this team. He’s earning himself a big payday this winter
pic.twitter.com/cR5DoV07O2
"He's somebody that keeps things light but he knows when to be serious as well," Stubbs said. Watching him be able to be the hard-nosed guy on the field but then also come in and bring some good energy into the clubhouse or into the dugout after getting a big hit or a big run or a big RBI, I think that goes a long way."
Stubbs would know. He was dubbed the team's chief vibes officer during the 2022 run to the World Series, and served in that role in 2023 and 2024 as well.
He spent most of the year in Lehigh Valley, but has been back with the team for the past 10 days and sees Bader's impact. Although he wasn't here all season, he's well-plugged into this group, so is it possible that the clubhouse maybe needed that infusion of life that Bader (and to an extent, Stubbs) provides?
"Maybe," Stubbs said with a smirk. "Obviously, I wasn't in the locker room (earlier this season) but I did see that from other people on the media side and on Twitter and whatnot.
"To be able to bring a guy in like that, obviously, it's nice for me to be here, too. I've really enjoyed being here the last couple weeks. I think the guys have enjoyed it too. For me, the energy piece, especially this late in the season. is huge."
Stubbs talked about the grind of a 162-game season and how it wears on players mentally.
"When you're doing that every single day and you don't have a couple guys who can bring your energy back up for the next day, it gets monotonous and really tough. Watching Bader do his thing - bring that good energy - and getting toward the end of the season where you really need that piece, it's awesome."'
And now Bader is bringing that energy to the top of the Phillies lineup, and as long as he remains effective, probably will stay there until Turner comes back - whether Thomson wants to publicly commit to that or not.
