2019 Phillies review: Bryce Harper

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports The numbers

260/.372/.510, 682 PA, 35 HR, 114 RBI, 26.1 K%, 14.5 BB%, 4.6 fWAR

The good

When Bryce Harper ended his long winter of free agency by signing a record contract with the Phillies, fan reaction was ecstasy, with an undercurrent of doubt. Harper’s talent wasn’t in question, but analysts had understandable concerns about his consistency, his durability, his defense, and even his personality. It was easy to imagine how he’d meet high expectations; it was maybe even easier to come up with ways he might fall far short of them.

As it happened, the Harper of Year One turned out to be almost shockingly low-maintenance—a set-it-and-forget-it superstar. He played…