When Bryce Harper steps into the batter’s box in September, something changes. The Philadelphia Phillies superstar has built a reputation for turning pedestrian regular seasons into playoff magic, and with his team sitting atop the NL East at 83-60, that transformation couldn’t come at a better time.

The Phillies have positioned themselves as legitimate World Series contenders this season, maintaining their division lead through a combination of veteran leadership and clutch performances. Their .580 winning percentage reflects the franchise’s sustained excellence since Harper’s arrival. This strong positioning heading into the final month sets the stage for another deep postseason run, with the team well-positioned to secure a coveted first-round playoff bye.

But meanwhile, Harper’s 2025 campaign tells a familiar story of struggle and anticipation. The former MVP is enduring his lowest OPS since 2016, a statistical dip that has raised questions about his motivation during baseball’s grueling 162-game marathon, as observed and reported by The Athletic‘s Matt Gelb. The motivation concerns stem from what appears to be Harper’s difficulty maintaining peak intensity across the full season as he ages.

Through 115 games, the former MVP is batting .264 with 24 home runs and 67 RBIs, posting a .354 OBP and .495 SLG for an .849 OPS. While respectable numbers for most players, Harper’s .264 batting average sits well below his career mark of .280, representing his lowest OPS since 2016. But all the underlying metrics look fine.

He’s striking out at a rate lower than his career mark and hitting the ball as hard (on average) as usual. Yet the puzzle deepens when considering that Harper’s physical tools remain intact, suggesting the issue lies more in a mental engagement. Perhaps it’s harder for Harper to find motivation during the long seasonal grind as he gets older, but his September history with Philadelphia tells a different narrative entirely.

He has posted a .265/.386/.516 slash line during his six Septembers as a Phillie, including bouncing back from a .196 average while recovering from injury in 2022, proving he often rises to the moment when the stakes are highest. That pattern has created an ominous warning for MLB rivals eyeing playoff positioning.

Harper’s ability to rise to the moment has consistently elevated Philadelphia’s postseason prospects. For teams hoping to avoid Philadelphia in October, Harper’s historical late-season excellence represents their worst nightmare–a superstar finding his timing precisely when championships are decided.

Here’s a look back for you. In 2024, he was on IL for a while from late June to early July. Yet, in July, he hit .149 with a .358 SLG. Plus, how can we forget his 394-foot two-run homer against the Brewers in September last year, leading the team to a 5-1 victory! In Harper’s own words, “The postseason is a different animal. It’s always fun. It excites me. I think every guy in this clubhouse has that same demeanor.” And that reflected in the previous two seasons, too.

In 2022, he missed most of August only to hit .205 with a SLG of .364 in September. Then, in 2023, he returned from TJ surgery and could only hit 5 homers in 3 months, again to break out in August. And now comes his 24th homer of the season against the Marlins on September 6, helping his team win 4-2. So, the question isn’t whether Harper will awaken, but which unfortunate opponent will face his resurgence.

Harper’s September magic might be just the beginning of Philadelphia’s offensive transformation. While their current star prepares for another clutch performance, the organization is already plotting moves that could reshape their championship window. The Phillies’ ambitions extend far beyond this season’s playoff push.

Phillies eye Japanese star to complement Harper’s arsenal

While Bryce Harper prepares for his annual September awakening, Philadelphia’s front office is already constructing its championship blueprint for 2026. The Phillies have joined the Japanese talent hunt sweeping Major League Baseball, setting their sights on a potential international acquisition that could transform their offensive capabilities.

Philadelphia scouts have been tracking 25-year-old slugger Munetaka Murakami, the Yakult Swallows’ first and third baseman, who could become available through the posting system this offseason. Speculation about Murakami’s MLB transition has intensified since June, with the latest reports suggesting his stateside move appears increasingly likely. His offensive credentials speak volumes about his readiness for American baseball.

Murakami brings legitimate power to any lineup. Through 3,064 at-bats in Japan, he’s accumulated 833 hits, 145 doubles, and an impressive 242 home runs while driving in 635 runs. His .272/.395/.559 slash line demonstrates both consistency and elite production, positioning him alongside established Japanese stars like Yu Darvish, Kodai Senga, and Seiya Suzuki, who’ve already conquered MLB pitching.

Meanwhile, the Yankees have emerged as potential competition in pursuing Murakami, though those rumors remain unsubstantiated. But Philadelphia’s aggressive scouting efforts signal a genuine interest in pairing an international star with Harper’s established excellence, creating a formidable offensive combination for future championship pursuits.