PHILADELPHIA — Before the Phillies made an autumn run to the World Series, they survived a summer without Bryce Harper. And now, the players who most helped them overcome losing their best hitter are reaping the rewards.
Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, who carried the offense in Harper’s absence, were awarded the Silver Slugger on Thursday night as top hitters among National League outfielders and catchers, respectively. Realmuto received the honor for the third time but first since 2019; Schwarber is a first-time Silver Slugger winner.
Schwarber, 29, led the NL with a career-high 46 home runs in his first season with the Phillies after signing a four-year, $79 million contract. Fifteen of those homers came during the two months when Harper was recovering from a broken thumb. Schwarber led off for most of the season and was the Phillies’ first home-run king since Ryan Howard led the league with 48 in 2008.
