Bryce Harper Homers Three Times in Phillies Spring Training Victory Over Yankees 12-8

Bryce Harper put on an absolute show for Philadelphia Phillies fans on Saturday afternoon at BayCare Ballpark, belting three home runs in a spectacular 12-8 spring training victory over the New York Yankees. The former National League MVP was locked in from his first at-bat, launching balls over the fence in the 2nd, 5th, and 7th innings while drawing oohs and ahhs from the capacity crowd of 8,500 baseball fans eager for the 2026 season to begin in earnest.

Harpers first homer came on a 2-1 fastball from Yankees starter Gerrit Cole, a towering blast to left-center field that traveled an estimated 425 feet and immediately set the tone for what would become an offensive showcase. The two-time MVP was seeing the ball exceptionally well, working deep counts and waiting for his pitch throughout the afternoon. His second home run, a line drive shot to right field off reliever Clay Holmes, demonstrated his ability to turn on any mistake regardless of the pitcher or situation.

The Yankees, despite the loss, showed plenty of positive signs in what has been an encouraging spring training campaign. Aaron Judge launched a mammoth home run of his own in the 4th inning, while Gleyber Torres added two RBIs with a pair of doubles that showcased his improved approach at the plate. Manager Aaron Boone was pleased with his teams competitive spirit throughout the contest, noting that spring training games like this provide valuable preparation for the intensity of regular season play.

Harpers third and most impressive home run came in the 7th inning against Yankees prospect Will Warren, a 450-foot bomb that cleared the batter eye in center field and had teammates rushing out of the dugout to congratulate their superstar. The 31-year-old first baseman has been working extensively with hitting coach Kevin Long on his timing and approach, refinements that appear to be paying dividends as the regular season approaches. His three-homer performance was the first of his spring training career and served notice that he is ready for another productive campaign.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson expressed delight with Harpers performance while cautioning against reading too much into spring training statistics. However, the former MVP has looked comfortable and confident throughout the early portion of camp, showing no lingering effects from the minor elbow issues that affected him late in 2025. His leadership and work ethic have been infectious throughout the clubhouse, with younger players gravitating toward his professional approach to preparation.

The victory moves the Phillies to 4-2 in Grapefruit League play, though the focus remains on getting players ready for Opening Day rather than accumulating wins and losses. Harper will likely see reduced action over the next few games as the team manages his workload, but Saturdays performance provided an exciting glimpse of what Philadelphia fans can expect when the games begin to count. With just over a month remaining before the regular season opener, displays like this serve as a reminder that spring training remains one of baseballs most optimistic and entertaining traditions, where anything seems possible under the Florida sun.