Harper 'frustrated on a bigger level' amid power drought
An uncharacteristically average start to the season is beginning to wear on Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper.
"I'm frustrated on a bigger level," Harper said after Sunday's 11-9 loss in extra innings to the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
"Obviously I've been through ruts in my career and gone through ups and downs worse than what I'm on right now. But just frustrated for the fans, frustrated for my team."
Harper hit his sixth home run in the first inning Sunday and owns a .786 OPS (119 OPS+) through 34 games. He only has 12 extra-base hits so far after recording 72 in 145 contests last year.
The two-time MVP's slugging percentage now sits at .422, well below the .519 clip he's averaged across his 14-year career.
"His expectations of himself are higher than anybody else," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. "And he knows how important he is to the ballclub and to the city and the franchise. So, he wears it. He really does. That's who he is."
Harper is in the seventh season of a 13-year, $330-million contract.
Philadelphia's offense as a whole hasn't quite gotten rolling yet. The star-studded group ranks ninth in the National League in runs scored (159) and home runs (34) after finishing top five in both last year.
The club holds a 19-15 record after winning 95 games in 2024.