Phillies' Bryce Harper named finalist for NL First Base Gold Glove Award

Matt Sullivan

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Phillies' Bryce Harper named finalist for NL First Base Gold Glove Award image

The Philadelphia Phillies, amid a postseason run in 2023, had to make a difficult decision with Bryce Harper. He wasn't ready to head back to the outfield, so he and the Phillies decided to try him out at first base to keep Kyle Schwarber at designated hitter.

It was a risky move, but one that the Phillies needed to make in the moment. A few years later, it's been a move that's been incredibly beneficial to the Phillies and Harper.

After his 2025 season, in which he played first base the entire time for just the second season, he was named a top-three finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove award for first basemen in the National League.

Bryce Harper named a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove award

The Phillies shared Harper's finalist nod, as he joins Matt Olsen of the Atlanta Braves and Spencer Steer of the Cincinnati Reds as the finalists for the Gold Glove award this season.

For Harper, this is a huge acknowledgment of his transition to becoming a first baseman. After making the move in 2023 out of necessity, he's found a new home on the field for the Phillies.

He played all but two of his 132 games at first base this season, and on the year, he had 933 put-outs with two errors and 72 double plays.

Being named a finalist is a great honor for Harper, but what are his chances of winning the award? According to Baseball Savant's advanced metrics, Harper isn't a highly-rated fielder.

More: Phillies' Bryce Harper shows he understands Philadelphia, unlike Nick Castellanos

By Fielding Run Value, Harper has a negative one FRV, while Olsen has a positive eight FRV, and Steer has four FRV. Outs Above Average is a bit more favorable for Harper, but he's only at one OAA while Olsen is at nine and Steer is at six OAA.

While Harper's chances to win the 2025 MLB Gold Glove award for National League first baseman aren't high, being named a finalist after just his second full season at the position is a great sign that his transition to first base has gone well.

He has expressed a willingness to move back to the outfield if needed, but for now, the Phillies have little reason to move Harper away from his spot at first base. Being named a finalist only further confirms he's now the team's first baseman.

The 32-year-old is signed through the 2032 season, and Harper has been incredible for the Phillies since coming to the team. He's been to two All-Star games, was the 2021 MVP, and has hit 184 home runs in seven years to further establish a Hall of Fame case.

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Matt Sullivan

Matt Sullivan is a freelance writer for The Sporting News, predominantly covering MLB. Matt is a native of Pennsylvania and has worked with Athlon Sports, Last Word on Sports, and other outlets.