PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on from the dugout prior to the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Denis Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images)MLB Photos via Getty ImagesThe Philadelphia Phillies entered the season with the same core of clubhouse leaders after Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto both signed new contracts to return.But following two straight disappointments in the playoffs, the pressure on the team to make a deeper run has grown. And the pressure on one player in particular is getting stronger as well, with franchise slugger Bryce Harper looking to prove he can retain his elite status after being publicly questioned by executive Dave Dombrowski.So far, Harper appears within reach of his best form.

Going into Monday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, he was slashing .276/.382/.517 and ranked within the top-three on the Phillies for hits, runs, home runs and walks.MORE FROM FORBESPhillies’ Alec Bohm Gets ‘Careless’ Response From Parents’ Team After Lawsuit UpdateBy Peter ChawagaPhiladelphia Phillies Slugger Bryce Harper’s Mistake Raises Discipline Question For Rob ThomsonBut there are also some signs that the pressure might be getting to Harper. During a loss last week to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Harper attempted to stretch a single into a double, though it was clear that he had virtually no chance of making it safely to second base.

When he was thrown out, home fans booed him on his walk back to the dugout.After the game, manager Rob Thomson was asked about the play and he seemed to cover for the superstar player.“Yeah, I mean, he’s aggressive," Thomson said of the play, according to On Pattison’s Tim Kelly. "He does that a lot, and most of the time he’s safe.”The next day, Thomson was challenged by a reporter who informed him that his benign reaction to Harper’s mistake might suggest that he does not hold players accountable.“I don’t think anything needs to be said, to tell you the truth,” Thomson responded, according to a video of the exchange posted on X.

“But to say that I’m not holding people accountable, that’s not right.”MORE FROM FORBESDodgers’ Former MLB Wins Leader Can Return ‘Any Minute,’ Per Scott BorasBy Peter ChawagaPhiladelphia Phillies Superstar Bryce Harper Offers ‘Accountability’ Response After Rob Thomson ExchangeApparently, that exchange caught Harper’s attention. In a thinly veiled reference to the idea that Thomson should be holding him more accountable, Harper dedicated his latest TikTok video to the manager’s style by uploading a video of himself brewing a blueberry jam latte with the caption “accountability coffee.”At the time of this writing, the post had 5,000 likes and numerous supportive comments noting the reference in the caption. Some users on X, however, were a little more negative in their comments about Harper's caption.But even as Harper polarizes fans with his reaction to Thomson’s management, as well as his baserunning decisions, one thing is clear: If the Phillies suffer an early playoff exit once again, someone will have to be held truly accountable.This article was originally published on Forbes.com