There’s no disputing the player’s superstar talent — unless you ask Philadelphia Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski.
Back in October, Dombrowski openly questioned whether the two time MVP is still among baseball’s elite.
“He didn’t have an elite season like he has in the past,” Dombrowski said. “I guess we’ll only find out if he becomes elite or he continues to be good. Can he rise to the next level again? I don’t really know the answer. He’s the one that will dictate that more than anything else is what it comes down to. I don’t think he’s content with the year that he had. It wasn’t a bad year, but when I think of Bryce Harper, you think elite. You think one of the top 10 players in baseball and I don’t think it fit into that category.”
What Did Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper Do?
Harper recently appeared to respond to those comments in a subtle but pointed way.
The Phillies star posted a TikTok video of himself taking swings in the batting cages. While the clip itself seemed routine, fans quickly noticed his shirt, which read “NOT ELITE” in bold capital letters.
The message appeared to be a clear reference to Dombrowski’s remarks, though it remains unclear whether Harper intended it as a playful jab or a sharper rebuke.
It is possible Harper is using the criticism as motivation heading into the new season.
Still, he made it clear that the comments stung when he spoke with The Athletic’s Matt Gelb following Dombrowski’s press conference.
“It’s disappointing to hear me being questioned about my contribution to the team,” Harper said. “Just really hurt by that notion because I love Philly so much.”
Harper has long carried a fiery edge, and that intensity was evident again this year. He was involved in a heated exchange with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in the Phillies clubhouse earlier in the season during a discussion about a potential salary cap.
Signed to a 13 year, $330 million contract that runs through 2031, Harper would be extremely difficult to move if he ever sought a trade.
Was Dombrowski Right?
Harper dealt with wrist issues throughout the 2025 season, limiting him to 132 games. He finished with 27 home runs and an .844 OPS, noticeably below his career .905 mark.
Even so, Harper’s overall body of work remains elite. He owns 54 career bWAR and 363 home runs, numbers that place him firmly on a Hall of Fame trajectory.
Despite a down year by his standards, Harper posted a .367 xwOBA in 2025, ranking in the 91st percentile according to Baseball Savant. While his chase and whiff rates increased, his walk rate still ranked in the 88th percentile.
Defensively, his transition to first base has gone well. Harper recorded a +1 Outs Above Average, placing him in the 72nd percentile.
As he enters his age 33 season, Harper may be moving past his absolute peak, but he remains an elite force at the plate and a player opposing teams must continue to respect, perhaps including Dombrowski himself.