If Bryce Harper went into the World Baseball Classic hoping to show the Phillies entrance workplace proper about his decline as a player and leader, he’s accomplished an ideal job. No, Harper is not the captain of Team USA – that title goes to Aaron Judge, who faces his personal questions – however the 33-year-old ought to know what this implies to Americans. He’s represented the U.S. twice earlier than as an beginner. He’s performed in a few of the greatest markets on the east coast – together with D.C. and Philadelphia. Baseball is our pastime. But has is handed us by?
Rather, a gaggle that was coined the dream workforce dangers shedding in pool play. Even in the event that they make it to the quarterfinals after an embarrassing loss to Italy, it’s going to be thanks to a strange tiebreaker. All of this might’ve been averted had Team USA taken its opponent significantly.
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Bryce Harper is not an elite player anymore, and Phillies realize it
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Harper took a remark from Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski the flawed manner with winter. Dombrowski mentioned that Harper did not have an elite season.
“Of course, he’s still a quality player,” Dombrowski said Oct. 16. “He’s still an All-Star caliber player. He didn’t have an elite season like he has had in the past. And I guess we only find out if he becomes elite or if he continues to be good… So I don’t think he’s content with the year that he had. And, again, it wasn’t a bad year. But when I think of Bryce Harper, you’re thinking elite, right? You’re thinking of one of the top 10 players in baseball, and I don’t think it fit into that category. But, again, a very good player. I have no idea. I’ve seen guys at his age – again he’s not old – that level off. Or I’ve seen guys rise again. We’ll see what happens.”
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To Dombrowski’s credit score, Harper did see a dip in manufacturing, particularly at the plate. His bWAR was simply 3.1, whereas his batting common was .261. Harper hit simply 27 house runs in 2025, and did not make the NL All-Star workforce. There’s little denying that, by his requirements, he did not play up to par. Even Harper is aware of that, and Dombrowski’s take added a bit extra fireplace heading right into a important 2026 season – or so you’ll assume.
How Bryce Harper, Mark DeRosa and Team USA let down their followers
Instead, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa wrongly assumed they clinched a spot in the quarterfinals prior to the sport, and seemingly nobody corrected him. His lineup, which featured veteran Paul Goldschmidt towards a right-handed pitcher, mirrored an exhibition sport. The USA teaching employees admitted that American gamers celebrated a bit of too onerous in the aftermath of their victory over rival Mexico, and that a number of “were dragging” prior to taking part in Italy.
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That’s not essentially Harper’s fault, however as one in all the veterans on this workforce, he may’ve stepped in and put an finish to it. He, like anybody on the Americans teaching employees or roster, may’ve accomplished the math on what precisely that they had to accomplish towards Italy to qualify for the quarterfinals. Harper additionally may’ve give you an enormous hit when requested to pinch-hit as the tying run at the plate. Instead, he struck out.
Harper has simply 4 hits in 15 at-bats in the whole event. He has a .494 OPS and simply 1 RBI. For a player who claimed to be so excited for the World Baseball Classic prior to becoming a member of Team USA, he’s instantly modified his tune, which hasn’t helped the notion of the American fanbase.
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What Bryce Harper mentioned about the WBC, and the way it’s modified over time
2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B: Team Italy v Team USA | Rob Tringali/GettyImages
Harper was thrilled to play in the World Baseball Classic, as he mentioned in February when requested by a the Phillies beat reporters.
“When I was younger, we won,” Harper mentioned. “We were undefeated in both tournaments and had some really good teams and some really good pitching and good groups. If we can, like you said, go out there and do what we need to do, then [we have] the possibility to do the same thing.
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“I do know loads of guys are wanting ahead to it. We’ve obtained a very good group of fellows, actually good group of pitchers and place gamers. Great stuff. Just actually wanting ahead to it.”
You would think that with Harper’s experience, and this being his first WBC as a professional, the last thing he’d want to do is downplay its existence to the media, right? Think again.
If Harper and Team USA are already looking forward to the Olympics, an event that takes place in two years that they’ve already qualified for which MLB players may or may not be a part of (see pending CBA), then that’s poor leadership. Harper’s getting ahead of himself. For now, the World Baseball Classic is the world’s biggest stage for this sport. The Olympic Games could change that, but this answer belongs in 2028, assuming Harper is even on the team by then.
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What is clear about this version of Team USA is simple: They lack the it factor. I couldn’t imagine saying that about a team filled with star talent, veterans over the age of 30 and former managers on staff, but here we are. If the Americans are lucky enough to advance to the quarterfinals, they ought to keep their first and most important goal at the forefront, and that’s winning this tournament, rather than the next one.
More WBC information and evaluation:
This article was initially revealed on www.fansided.com as Bryce Harper proved to Phillies he’s not an elite player or leader at the WBC.
