Aug 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader (2) reacts after hitting a 3-run home run during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Eric Hartline
MILWAUKEE — Harrison Bader has not only quickly become a popular player among Phillies fans, but also with his manager and teammates as well.
Bader went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored in Monday's instant-classic 10-8 victory over the NL-best Brewers. Afterwards, there was no shortage of praise for the 31-year-old outfielder, whom the Phillies acquired from the Minnesota Twins prior to the trade deadline.
"Yeah, I love him," Rob Thomson said when asked if Bader has brought an edge to the Phillies. "Him and [Brandon] Marsh had great days today.
"He's performing like he's a very confident person, but he's a good person," Thomson added. "It's not phony or fake or anything like that."
Rob Thomson on Harrison Bader: “I love him.”
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/TdzDQ9i9DT
Taijuan Walker didn't have one of his better outings of the season Monday, as he gave up seven hits and five earned runs over just four innings. Bader, though, was a major reason Walker didn't wind up with a loss. The veteran righty reflected on what Bader has added to the team following his latest start.
"Excitement," Walker said. "You know he's really good out there in center field ... he tracks the ball, great arm. But he's been around for a long time. He's been on winning teams and he knows how to win. But just his character, his excitement and everything."
If Bader was Batman in the Labor Day victory, Brandon Marsh was Robin, going 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. He also spoke glowingly about the impact that Bader has had during his first month with the team.
"I could say a lot of things," Marsh said. "Energy ... a heck of an at-bat every single time ... Gold Glove defense ... good teammate, on and off the field. So he's been huge for this club, and he's going to continue to be big for us."
So what does Bader — who is now hitting .313 since joining the Phillies — believe has been the key to his assimilation?
"Just playing your game," Bader said. "It's really easy to get caught up in the emotion of trying to fit into a clubhouse and living up to all these expectations you might have in your head. But I think just like relaxing and letting your game speak for itself to try to help the team win after nine innings just kind of eliminates all that. I'm just kinda running with that feeling and just trying to put up for my new club."
What’s allowed Harrison Bader to assimilate so quickly with the Phillies? 📞🤙
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/Db7pK6UQCl
Bader won a Gold Glove as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021, and in addition to his career-best offensive season in 2025, has continued to look the part of an elite center fielder this season. Between the Twins and the Phillies, FanGraphs says that Bader has seven defensive runs saved in 2025. Add in that Bader seems to command a level of respect in the clubhouse and he already feels like someone the Phillies might want to be more than a rental.
The future of Bader in red pinstripes, though, will come down to a variety of factors. How many years will he be looking for this winter? Do the Phillies believe Justin Crawford will be ready to join them early in 2026, and if so, will it be in center or left field? Is Nick Castellanos — who clearly isn't happy with his reduced role — still going to be with the Phillies for the final year of his five-year/$100 million contract in 2026?
There will be a time and place to discuss Bader's future. For now, he's a Phillie. And after a few swings and misses by president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski in the outfield, Bader appears to have been a bullseye.
