Phillies' Dombrowski: Harper 'underrated' in many ways

Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski believes reigning National League MVP Bryce Harper doesn't get as much attention as the superstar outfielder should.

"In some ways, with all the talent he possesses, and all the accolades he has received, and the fact that he's a Hall of Fame talent, in many ways he is underrated," Dombrowski said, according to Mike Lupica of MLB.com.

Harper came into Monday's action leading the majors in runs (29) and doubles (14), sitting second in slugging (.635), and tied for tops in the NL with nine home runs. The two-time MVP has earned six All-Star nods. He signed a 13-year, $330-million contract with Philadelphia in February 2018, and he owns a .961 OPS over four seasons with the Phillies.

"He's a tremendously gifted player who works extremely hard to get the most out of his abilities," Dombrowski added. "He wants to excel at every aspect of the game and wants to win a championship badly."

Harper, 29, is putting up MVP numbers again despite dealing with a small tear in his ulnar collateral ligament. The injury has forced him to play as a designated hitter for the majority of the 2022 campaign.