Bryce Harper is preparing for his first World Baseball Classic as a Major League player, following a strong start in the Grapefruit League. On Saturday, Harper hit his first home run of spring training during the Philadelphia Phillies’ 7-5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida. Over four games, he has recorded a .375 batting average with three hits in eight at-bats, including two doubles and one home run. He has also driven in four runs, walked three times, and struck out three times. Four of the six balls he put into play were hit at speeds above 94.8 mph.
Saturday’s home run left his bat at 93.8 mph.
“Just trying to get pitches in the zone, swing at strikes and take my walks when I can,” Harper said. “I think I’ve done a pretty good job at that the four games I’ve played.”
Harper was scheduled to travel to Phoenix later that day with teammates Kyle Schwarber and Brad Keller to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.
“Really excited,” Harper said. “Excited to get out there, get in front of the team and have some fun with some really good players.”
This marks Harper’s first time representing Team USA as a big leaguer; he previously played for the United States as an amateur.
“When I was younger, we won,” Harper said. “We were undefeated in both tournaments and had some really good teams and some really good pitching and good groups. If we can, like you said, go out there and do what we need to do, then [we have] the possibility to do the same thing.
“I know a lot of guys are looking forward to it. We’ve got a really good group of guys, really good group of pitchers and position players. Great stuff. Just really looking forward to it.”
During Saturday’s game against Toronto, Harper watched teammate Cristopher Sánchez pitch two strong innings for Philadelphia. Sánchez will represent the Dominican Republic in the tournament and could face Team USA if both teams reach the semifinals.
“You better pick and choose what you want to swing at,” Harper said about Sánchez. “His stuff is moving all over the plate. He’s definitely one of the best in baseball right now from the left side. So it’d definitely be a tall task.”
Team USA begins play in Pool B alongside Italy and Mexico. Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola will compete for Italy while Taijuan Walker will pitch for Mexico; Team USA may face either pitcher during pool play.
There is also potential for Team USA to meet Phillies left-hander Jesús Luzardo if both United States and Venezuela advance far enough; Luzardo is currently on Venezuela’s reserve list but could be added later.
Luzardo told Daniel Álvarez-Montes of El Extrabase that he remains in contact with Venezuela manager Omar López.
The Philadelphia Phillies have been part of Major League Baseball’s National League since its founding and serve fans locally in Philadelphia as well as regionally and nationally through games and community outreach efforts (https://www.mlb.com/phillies). The club plays its home games at Citizens Bank Park—a stadium it has used since 2004—and is managed by executives including its chief executive officer and general manager (https://www.mlb.com/phillies). The team achieved World Series victories in 1980 and 2008 (https://www.mlb.com/phillies).
