It’s time for Bryce Harper to snap out of whatever he’s been going through this season

We’re not pressing the panic button just yet — but it’s time to be honest about Bryce Harper.

Bryce Harper has a batting average of .229 with 33 hits, 6 homers, 20 RBIs and 22 runs scored in 38 games this season. Over his last 25 games, Harper’s hitting .219 with a .723 OPS, and he’s batting just .107 this season when the pitcher is ahead in the count.

That’s not just cold — that’s frozen. The slugger we’ve come to rely on has gone missing, and even though the Phillies are still finding ways to win, this team doesn’t reach its ceiling if their franchise player keeps scuffling like this.

Don’t get us twisted on Bryce Harper

This isn’t some mindless Philly sports radio segment trying to declare Bryce Harper washed. It’s not that, and never will be that. Bryce Harper is still one of the best players in the league — and if you’re writing him off in early May, you’re probably new here.

That said, this stretch of baseball isn’t good enough. And it’s fair to say that.

Bryce Harper wears a lot. He cares — too much, maybe. He wants to carry the team, the city, the energy, the emotion. He thrives in that role most of the time. But there’s a difference between being the heartbeat of a team and feeling like you have to hit a five-run home run every at-bat.

Sometimes, the Greatest Showman just needs to poke a single to left and keep the inning moving.

Gear up in the Shop >>

What Bryce needs right now isn’t fireworks. It’s feel. Trust the approach. Stay within yourself. Be the guy who can hit a ball 450 feet when it calls for it — but don’t chase greatness in a spot that only requires a base knock.

This isn’t panic. This is mid-May baseball. There’s a lot of season left. But with the Phillies playing winning baseball around him, the return of MVP-caliber Harper could take this team from dangerous to dominant.

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We’re not asking for heroics. Just solid contact, a little rhythm, and the version of Bryce that knows when to take what the game gives him.

He’ll get there — but it’s time to start making that turn.