April 2, 2025
Minnesota Twins outfielder
Harrison Bader hit a home run during his only plate appearance on Tuesday in his squad's 8-3 win against the Chicago White Sox. Bader came in to pinch-hit for teammate
Trevor Larnach in the top of the ninth and promptly blasted his second HR of the season, scoring DaShawn
Keirsey Jr. and
Byron Buxton to bring their run total to eight. The 30-year-old has just three hits on the season, but they're all of the extra-base variety (two homers, one double). Bader has oddly been better against right-handed pitchers in his career, and that's stayed true in 2025. All three of the New York native's hits have come off righties thus far, while he's 0-for-4 against lefties.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
February 18, 2025
The Athletic's Dan Hayes writes that Minnesota Twins outfielder
Harrison Bader, who is primarily a center fielder and won a Gold Glove at the position in 2021, will see a significant amount of playing time in left field in 2025 in his first year in Minnesota. Bader's last 651 defensive appearances have come in center field dating back to 2018. However,
Byron Buxton is entrenched in center field. The 30-year-old veteran has only logged 58 2/3 innings in the majors in left field, but he has experience in the corners from his days in college. Bader's best asset is his glove, so fantasy-wise, RotoBaller doesn't have him ranked as a top-100 outfielder going into 2025. He had a .496 OPS in his final 157 plate appearances last year with the Mets and started just twice in 12 playoff games last fall. Bader can be useful in deeper fantasy leagues with his modest power/speed profile.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
February 5, 2025
The New York Post's Jon Heyman reports that free-agent outfielder
Harrison Bader has signed with the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday on an undisclosed one-year deal that includes a mutual option for the 2026 season. Bader will essentially head to spring training this year as Minnesota's fourth outfielder but also as a much-needed insurance policy for oft-injured center fielder
Byron Buxton. The 30-year-old Bader spent all of 2024 with the New York Mets, slashing .236/.284/.373 with a below-average .657 OPS, 12 home runs, 51 RBI, 17 stolen bases and 57 runs scored in 437 plate appearances over 143 regular-season games. Don't expect him to see as much playing time in Minnesota if Buxton stays healthy, but he'll be a nice option against left-handed pitchers with a career .776 OPS versus southpaws. He has an elite glove and will be a modest power/speed contributor in deeper fantasy formats.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
October 17, 2024
New York Mets outfielder
Harrison Bader and designated hitter
J.D. Martinez are both starting against the Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander
Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday at Citi Field.
Tyrone Taylor and
Jesse Winker will retreat to the bench. Taylor has struggled in the postseason, going 4-for-29 with an RBI, so the Mets will give Bader a shot. Bader is a perfect 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI this year against Yamamoto, although he has just one hit in seven at-bats with a strikeout and three runs scored in 10 games (one start) for the Mets in October. Martinez made his first start of the NLCS on Wednesday night and went 0-for-2 with two walks and two strikeouts. He has never faced Yamamoto and has gone 4-for-16 (.250) with three RBI, four walks and a run scored in seven games (four starts) this October.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Mets
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