Phillies Urge Bryce Harper to Reclaim Elite Status After Struggles

UPDATE: The Philadelphia Phillies are urging Bryce Harper to reclaim his elite status following a challenging season. As Harper celebrates his 33rd birthday today, the front office is assessing his future performance after a disappointing year that saw his OPS drop to .844, the lowest since 2016.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski expressed concerns about Harper’s ability to return to form. “He didn’t have an elite season like he’s had in the past,” Dombrowski stated. Harper’s .261 batting average this season was his worst since 2019, raising alarms about his long-term potential as a key player in the franchise’s future.

Harper, a two-time NL MVP, played a pivotal role in leading the Phillies to the playoffs for the first time in 11 years in 2022. However, he struggled in the recent NL Division Series, batting just 3-for-15 with no RBIs against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Can he rise to the next level again? I don’t really know that answer,” Dombrowski added, emphasizing the need for Harper to regain his top-tier status.

Manager Rob Thomson remains optimistic, stating, “I think he’s highly motivated to have the best season of his career next year.” The Phillies, who have seen their win total rise each year for the past four seasons, are determined to break their pattern of postseason disappointments.

With key free agents like Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto potentially leaving, Dombrowski faces tough decisions to reshape the roster. Despite the challenges, he insists on maintaining perspective after a 96-win season and not overreacting to postseason losses.

Looking ahead, the team aims to address its postseason hitting struggles, particularly the performance of its highest-paid players. Dombrowski noted, “We have a very substantial big league payroll and I don’t see that that’s going to change.” He added, “John [Middleton] is very supportive of that,” indicating strong financial backing moving forward.

As Harper prepares for the upcoming season, the focus will be on rediscovering his signature hitting skills. Thomson advised him to “try not to do too much” and to stay patient at the plate. “When he stays on the ball, he is such a great hitter,” he added.

The organization also plans to retain its coaching staff while seeking to strengthen the team. Dombrowski confirmed that Thomson would return for his fifth season and that discussions for a one-year contract extension are underway.

As the offseason unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Bryce Harper can once again rise to elite status and help the Phillies break through to World Series contention.