Let's not write off Bryce Harper just yet. Yes, the current state of affairs for the Phillies is not good by any means, and it is difficult to look on the brighter side of things when the clouds are stormy in Philadelphia. The team enters Wednesday sitting fourth in the NL East having gone 2-8 over their last 10 games.
Several guys are slumping. But not Harper. In fact, Harper's numbers through his first 21 games played in 2026 are on par with his other seasons every year since he won the Most Valuable Player award in 2021. There's pressure on him to perform this season after a weak final month in 2025, leading to President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski's dramatic public comments about Harper's status as an All-Star. So far, it's creating diamonds.
Of course, it also doesn't help that Kyle Schwarber is still hitting home runs at an insane rate, which, in a way, puts Harper in the shadows. But make no mistake, Harper is still a great player, and one who could help dig this organization out of this immediate obscurity.
Phillies' Bryce Harper has not shown any sign of slowing down as a top hitter in the National League
Harper remains in the upper echelon in both xSLG and xwOBA. Entering Tuesday, he is also tied for 13th in the National League with 10 extra-base hits, and his .883 OPS is in the Top 20 among NL hitters, and third among NL first basemen (Sal Stewart, Matt Olson).
Is that Tier 1 type of hitting? Not quite, but it is close. It is still much better than what he is getting credit for, for what it's worth.
Here are his numbers through his first 21 games in March/April since 2021. You be the judge and tell us if he isn't still providing All-Star levels of production at the plate.
- 2021 (MVP season): 1.074 OPS, .319 AVG, 6 HR, 10 RBI
- 2022: .827 OPS, .266 AVG, 3 HR 14 RBI
- 2023: Hurt (Right elbow reconstruction and repair)
- 2024: .773 OPS, .241 AVG, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 4 2B
- 2025: .904 OPS, .263 AVG, 4 HR, 10 RBI
- 2026: .883 OPS, .273 AVG, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 5 2B, 1 3B
Harper tends to respond to the haters when he is called overrated. He has always thrived in it (just look at the World Baseball Classic). So actually, maybe everyone should keep jeering him, or forgetting that he is a great hitter. He's more than happy to prove them wrong.
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