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FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2018, file photo, Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper bats during a baseball game against the New York Mets, in Washington. A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a $330 million, 13-year contract, the largest deal in baseball history. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, because the agreement is subject to a successful physical. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File) Nick Wass, Associated Press
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FILE - In this July 16, 2018, file photo, Washington Nationals Bryce Harper (34) reacts to his winning hit during the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby, in Washington. A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a $330 million, 13-year contract, the largest deal in baseball history. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, because the agreement is subject to a successful physical. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) Alex Brandon
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Washington Nationals Bryce Harper (34) reacts to his winning hit during the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby, Monday, July 16, 2018 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Alex Brandon, AP
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Washington Nationals Bryce Harper strikes out looking during the fifth inning of the team's baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press
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Washington Nationals Bryce Harper, looks at the baseball field from their dug out before the start of the Nationals last home game of the season against the Miami Marlins in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press
Herb Scribner
By Herb Scribner

SALT LAKE CITY — Is Bryce Harper the most overrated MLB player?

What happened: A new survey from The Athletic asked players across Major League Baseball about their favorite players, potential rule changes and who they view to be the most overrated player in the league.

For the second year in a row, Harper topped the list as “most overrated” in the league by the players.

  • "I don’t really know what to say," Harper told USA Today on Monday. "I mean, I have no answer. I have no idea.”
  • "I knew ESPN did (a similar poll) a couple years back, and I won MVP the next year. So I don’t know. Maybe we’ll do that again this year. We’ll see."

He’s not wrong: ESPN’s anonymous survey of players in 2014 and 2015 ranked Harper as the “most overrated.” He ended up winning the National League MVP award for those years.

By the numbers: Harper , who will wear new ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions contact lenses this season, has been voted to six All-Star Games in seven seasons for the MLB season. He averaged 32 home runs and 91 RBI per year. He signed a 13-year deal worth $330 million over the summer, the AP reports.

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Sports Illustrated called Harper “baseball’s chosen one” when he was 16 years old.

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