Categories: Phillies Nuggets with Tim Kelly

Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper enter postseason in three-way tie for most playoff HRs in Phillies history

Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are tied in a key metric. (John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)

Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper will enter the 2024 Phillies postseason in a three-way tie with Jayson Werth for most playoff home runs in franchise history at 11. Whether one can emerge in sole possession of the top spot will be an interesting storyline as long as the Phillies are alive this October.

It’s true that there are more postseason rounds now for players to add onto their career totals, but both Schwarber and Harper have tied the record over the course of 30 playoff games with the Phillies. By comparison, Werth played in 40 playoff games with the Phillies. Mike Schmidt — the greatest player in franchise history — homered four times in 36 playoff games during his career.

Even if Schwarber ends up on top after this postseason, Harper will likely be the franchise’s all-time leader when his career ends. Perhaps the Phillies will extend Schwarber’s current contract beyond 2025, but Harper is signed through 2031.

With that said, Schwarber is tied for fourth in MLB history in postseason home runs, with 20 total between the Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox. Derek Jeter, a five-time World Champion, also had 20 postseason home runs. Schwarber trails only Manny Ramirez (29), Jose Altuve (27) and Bernie Williams (22).

That puts him ahead of Harper for his career. Between the Phillies and Washington Nationals, Harper has 16 home runs, which is 16th in postseason history. He’s one home run away from tying Hall of Famers David Ortiz and Jim Thome, both of whom homered 17 times in their postseason careers.