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Bryce Harper 2022 Player Outlook: As Safe An Elite Option As You’ll Find
3 years agoEven after winning his second MVP award, Bryce Harper is still barely a first round consideration in fantasy drafts (ADP ~12). But for those of you who are most risk averse in the early rounds, Harper should be atop your draft lists. Since joining the Phillies, Harper's 162-game average fantasy line is .281 avg, 38 HR, 105 RBI, 109 R and 16 SB. Harper's 16.7% BB% was in the 99th percentile, providing a safe floor for runs and double-digit steals. People might believe his .309 batting average last year was a fluke, given he'd hit .257 over the previous three seasons. But Harper's .296 xBA was in the 97th percentile and his .598 xSLG and .424 xwOBA both ranked in the 99th percentile. Harper predominantly hit third in the Phillies lineup in 2021 which will also help him tally RBIs moving forward, despite being on a middling offense (Philadelphia ranked 13th in runs scored with 734). Harper did only play 141 games in 2021 but played 159, 157 and 58 games in 2018, 2019 and 2020 (shortened season), so he doesn't come with the often-used "injury risk" label. However, his skillset and consistency does mean Harper should be labelled as safe a pick as you can get in fantasy drafts.
