Bryce Harper To Stay At First Base For Phillies In 2024

News out of the front office from Citizens Bank Park seems to be that Bryce Harper will remain at first base for the 2024 season. Bryce staying at first likely spells the end of Rhys Hoskins' tenure with the Phillies. Hoskins has spent his whole career with the Phillies. Drafted in 2014, debuted in the majors in 2017. Over that time there have been plenty of ups and downs for Hoskins, but the good should outweigh the bad. He was never a headache and did what this team asked him to do. He had his biggest moments in last year's run to the World Series. None bigger than the bat spike home run he hit in the NLDS after the Braves intentionally walked the batter in front of him.

Hoskins' injury during spring training was disappointing for him and the Phillies, but it opened them up to something none of us expected. Bryce Harper (who doesn't heal like a normal human) returned just 160 days removed from Tommy John surgery because this team was floundering. Normal return to throwing is gradually from six to nine months. Think of Bryce as the T-1000 in Terminator 2, but a good T-1000, not the one that wants us all dead. He learned how to play first base at a major league level in a month. Unreal.

The Phillies season ended in total disappointment in the NLCS, but they found the best defensive lineup they've had since Harper arrived in Philly. Having Bryce at first allowed them to use Kyle Schwarber as the designated hitter while keeping Brandon Marsh in left field and Johan Rojas in center. Offensively Rojas gives you nothing but seems to catch everything hit from left center to right center.

This is what the lineup should look like from an offensive and defensive standpoint in 2024.

1. Turner SS

2. Stott 2B

3. Harper 1B

4. Schwarber DH

5. Castellanos RF

6. Realmuto C

7. Bohm 3B

8. Marsh LF

9. Rojas CF

If they could just tell Schwarber that he is not the best leadoff hitter that'd be great. Solo home runs are good, but 2 run/3 run/grand slams are much better. Of course, we'll have to wait and see if they can convince him of these complete and total total facts.

Phillies Game One against the Miami Marlins was TRULY EPIC! The Phillies won 4-1 in this three game series, first to win two games will move on to play the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division series, which is best of five.

It was an awesome game for sure mostly because it was a small ball win. Some critics say the Phillies rely on the long ball, nope. Not a single homerun from either team in fact but the cool thing is, every single starter got a hit in the game, which is impressive.

Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos both had two hits. Alec Bohm, Castellanos, Bryson Stott and Cristian Pache all drove in a run. Bryce Harper ran harder than anyone we've ever seen before to score from first on a double.

Here are some video highlights from the game!

As we know, the Phillies came very close to winning it all last year. After barely squeaking by to make it into the postseason, occupying the sixth seed in the National League, they were able to defy all odds and make it all the way to the World Series.

They faced the Houston Astros who proved to be much too much to handle. They lost in six games.

This year, they clinched the fourth seed in the National League which is the top Wild Card spot. They beat division rival Miami Marlins 4-1 in game one of the three-game Wild Card series. The winner will take on the number one-seeded Atlanta Braves in a five-game series.

Let's take a look at some epic photos from the first Wild Card game that happened right here in Philadelphia! You've got Castellanos's middle finger, Harper sprinting and celebrations. GO PHILS!

This article was written by Jeff Kurkjian. You can follow him on Twitter or Instagram to get to know him a bit better!