Bryce Harper expressed his enthusiasm last month, when the Phillies opened Spring Training in Clearwater, Fla.

He loved what he saw from president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski’s first couple months in charge.

“Once Dombrowski came in, finally, it was kind of like a breath of fresh air,” Harper said then. “You're sitting there going, 'Man, this guy is going to do his job and he’s going to do everything he can to help this organization.' And I think the city is in need of that, you know what I’m saying?”

The Phillies have not enjoyed a winning season since 2011, the last time they made the postseason. Nothing that has happened this spring has dissuaded Harper’s optimism. It is not to say that the Phillies will make the postseason in 2021. The National League East is stacked from top to bottom. But the Phillies are better positioned to compete than they were just a few months ago.

Here is a look at some of the key developments this spring:

Best development
Joe Girardi’s bullpen options have improved substantially from 2020. The Phillies have not finalized anything yet, but the first five relievers in the eight-man bullpen could be Héctor Neris, Archie Bradley, José Alvarado, Connor Brogdon and JoJo Romero. Brandon Kintzler, who made the roster on Friday, will take up one of the final three spots, with Sam Coonrod, Vince Velasquez and David Hale still in contention for the final two openings. Last season, the Phillies wondered how in the world they would get the final nine outs in a game. This season, it should not be as much of an issue. And for a team that just missed the postseason, it could be huge.

Unfortunate events
J.T. Realmuto broke his right thumb before camp opened last month and Adam Haseley strained his left adductor early this month. But Realmuto should be in the Opening Day lineup, while Haseley still might crack the 26-man roster, even if he might not have enough time to win the job in center field.

Player who opened eyes
One of the reasons the Phillies feel so much better about their bullpen is Alvarado. He came into camp in shape and focused. He has impressed, routinely touching 100 mph with his fastball. If Alvarado returns to his 2018 form with the Rays, the Phillies will have a dominant late-inning reliever who could pick up big outs in the seventh or eighth innings, or even close, if needed.

Wow moment
How about Harper and Realmuto each homering in their first at-bats of the spring?

In case you missed it
The Phillies expect to score a bunch of runs in '21, especially with Alec Bohm in the lineup for six months. He has impressed his teammates with his approach at the plate. He broke down his approach earlier this month.