Minnesota Twins outfielder Harrison Bader went 1-for-4 in Wednesday's 6-1 victory over the White Sox, but his one hit was a decisive one. He smashed a three-run home run to left on the first pitch he saw from Sean Burke in the fourth inning. The Twins lead went from 1-0 to a much more comfortable 4-0 with the blast, and the team cruised to a second straight win after an 0-4 start. The home run was already Bader's third blast of the season, and he has gone 4-for-16 (.250) in his five games, with all four of his hits for extra bases and eight RBI. He and the Twins are back in action on Thursday afternoon for their home opener against Houston and Hunter Brown. Bader's quick start could lead to full-time at-bats, and since he brings good speed potential along with his power surge, he's worth a look as at least a short-term solution in mixed leagues.
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.
Harrison Bader To See Plenty Of Time In Left Field
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.
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.
Harrison Bader, J.D. Martinez Starting Against Dodgers In Game 4
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.
Harrison Bader Enters Starting Nine For Game 2 Of NLDS
New York Mets outfielder Harrison Bader will cover center field and bat in the nine-hole on Sunday afternoon in Game 2 of the NLDS. Bader is getting the nod over Tyrone Taylor who covered center field in Game 1. Taylor went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts on Saturday. Bader entered the game late as a pinch-runner and was able to score twice, stole a base, and tallied a hit which is why he has earned a starting opportunity. He will face Philadelphia southpaw Cristopher Sanchez, who posted a strong 2.43 ERA and 1.08 WHIP through his final five starts of the regular season. Bader remains a high-risk option in DFS, given his spot in the lineup and rather difficult matchup.
Francisco Alvarez, Mark Vientos, Harrison Bader All Sitting
New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez, third baseman Mark Vientos and outfielder Harrison Bader are all retreating to the bench for Thursday's series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Luis Torrens is doing the catching and batting ninth, Jose Iglesias is at the hot corner and hitting seventh, and Brandon Nimmo is in center field and batting third against D-backs right-hander Ryne Nelson. Nimmo is obviously the most attractive DFS play of the trio in the three-hole and he has two hits in four career at-bats against Nelson. Alvarez has hits in both of his last two games, but he could use a break after going just 2-for-24 with 10 strikeouts in his last eight games since Aug. 20. Vientos has taken advantage of Brett Baty's continued disappointment to post his first 20-homer season in 2024. Bader will get some rest despite homering in each of the last two games.
New York Mets outfielder Harrison Bader (ankle) is back in center field and is hitting in the nine-hole for the Mets in Monday's series opener against the visiting Minnesota Twins and rookie right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson. Bader suffered a sprained ankle last Tuesday in the win over the New York Yankees and missed each of the team's last five games as a result. He's back in there now for fantasy managers, though, but he won't have very much DFS upside at the bottom of the lineup in a tough matchup. The 30-year-old right-handed-hitting outfielder is mostly useful in fantasy for his speed (14 stolen bases). He enters Monday's contest sporting a .263/.301/.402 slash line with eight homers, 36 RBI and 40 runs scored in 281 at-bats. Bader has just two hits in 22 at-bats with seven strikeouts in seven games since July 13.
New York Mets outfielder Harrison Bader is not in the starting lineup for Saturday afternoon's tilt against the hosting Miami Marlins and right-hander Roddery Munoz. The veteran center fielder went 0-for-4 and left a pair of men on base in Friday's second-half opener and will give way to Brandon Nimmo in center field one day later. Known more for his glove, Bader is in the midst of a bounce-back season that has seen him hit .269 with eight homers, 13 stolen bases, and a .722 OPS across 85 games, production that has graded out five percent above the league average, as per his 105 wRC+. The 30-year-old has been a solid deep-league addition that has delivered some pop and speed for fantasy managers this season.
New York Mets outfielder Harrison Bader is sitting on Saturday as the Mets continue a four-game set against the Miami Marlins. Bader has held a .243 AVG since July 2 and has gone hitless in his past three starts. As a result, Brandon Nimmo will shift to center field which opens left field for Jeff McNeill and right field for DJ Stewart. Bader has performed quite well in his first season in Queens as he has posted a solid .269/.308/.414 line with eight home runs and 13 stolen bases. The 30-year-old should be expected to return to the starting nine on Sunday. Nimmo and the other New York outfielders are all worth considering in DFS this afternoon as they will face Miami right-hander Roddery Munoz, who has held a poor 6.39 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, and a 14:15 BB:K ratio across his past five starts.
Harrison Bader
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Twins
