The word elite has been used almost daily when it comes to Bryce Harper. Ever since the Phillies President of Baseball Operations, Rob Dombrowski brought it up at the end of the 2025 season.
I ask the following: Are the Phillies still an elite team? I believe they are, but they are not consistent. As a team the bats just go quiet at the wrong times since NLCS versus the Dbacks. The pitching is probably better and deeper than years past. The mix of youth and veterans is better than years past.
The one thing that remains a huge question is will they hit?
Hitting beats pitching, but as we have found out too many times with the Phillies, pitching beats slugging. The Phillies can’t remain a slugging team. They must learn to be less aggressive, stop reaching out of the strike zone and take a walk. Getting guys on base is huge for this team. The Phillies have the bats to get them home with one swing, but they have to be selective.
I know he is a rookie but Crawford can play a massive role in getting on base and making things happen with his speed. If he can, it would be like having two #1 hitters in the lineup.
Alex Bohm is the other question in the lineup. Defensively he is fine, but the Phillies need the Allstar version of Bohm from two years ago. He was a double machine that early part of the season. If he can find that form again, that will cement Harper as being elite and return the Phillies into the post season with a solid chance on beating that Juggernaut Dodgers team.
My predictions:
96 wins
Harper MLB MVP….YES I SAID IT.
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