The Philadelphia Phillies needed all the help they could get in taking a series against the top team in baseball in the Milwaukee Brewers. They stunned a lot of people by taking two of three in their home ball park with some big plays mixed in to secure a pivotal series win. Phillies center fielder Harrison Bader made the play of the series that has propelled him into a top defender for a World Series hopeful team.

With one out in the ninth inning of a 2-0 game, Bader ventured back, leapt at the wall and brought back what would have been a home run by Brewers shortstop Andruw Monasterio. The lead would have been cut to just one, but instead turned into another highlight for Bader’s resume.

His play was extremely impressive and even left some Phillies players awed by his most recent feat.

Phillies players react to Harrison Bader’s continued defensive excellence

When the team is going well, everyone wants to get in on the fun. Bader had his fun in center field after his robbery of a home run on Thursday, and the team continues to soak in how good he’s been since they traded for him at the deadline. Phillies manager Rob Thomson sees how he’s impacted the clubhouse and the upside that Bader brings.

“He can go get it out in the outfield,” Thomson said. “Ya know, he’s a plus defender. Brings a lot of energy. Ya know, the chest bump was huge, I thought after the catch. So, yeah, he brings a lot of energy.”

Thomson has had to make decisions regarding platooning all outfield spots recently, so times like these makes it much more digestible for Phillies fans and the players on the field, per MLB.com’s Paul Casella. The players love great plays and that includes second baseman Bryson Stott. Stott is no stranger himself to gold glove play in the field and sees how much of a difference Bader adds, while still having fun doing it every night.

“He’s incredible,” Stott stated. “As long as it’s not like way gone, I think he has a chance at it. And then I was laughing at his mid-inning chest bump. That was pretty funny.”

Bader has proven his worth for the Phillies, and they certainly need that with the lack of options they had before bringing him aboard. He’s been a viable offensive piece since joining the Phillies, with a .307 batting average and an .851 OPS through 28 games.

Although the offensive has been great, the defense is what’s been Bader’s bread and butter since his rookie year in 2018. According to Statcast, among outfielders, his fielding run value of 72 is the best in all of baseball during that stretch.

Bader has impressed since his arrival in Philadelphia. It was more of an underrated deal, per MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. It’s a breath of fresh air with the reminder of some other outfield acquisitions in recent years. Bader looks to be a great fit for the outfield and the team, players and all, can’t wait to see what he’s capable of in the postseason.