The Bryce Harper Compendium (2014)

[stealyerbase]

The sweet smile and obvious fun Rendon brings to the team reminds me of Michael Morse. Keep the good times rolling please.

[Slateman]

It's not about his 3 for 21. It's not about his terrible approach. It's that for whatever reason he decided to alter that amazing swing of his. Why?

[Jordanz Meatballz]

It's not about his 3 for 21. It's not about his terrible approach. It's that for whatever reason he decided to alter that amazing swing of his. Why?

Wouldn't it be bad habits from overcompensating for a bad knee? That and being top-heavy because he couldn't lift with his legs for a while.

[GburgNatsFan]

So it's early?

There's a high degree of variability as to whether balls put in play find a defender or open space.   You know, the BABIP thing. 

5 games in we're talking TINY sample sizes for a hitter.

[Slateman]

Wouldn't it be bad habits from overcompensating for a bad knee? That and being top-heavy because he couldn't lift with his legs for a while.

He didn't have an altered swing at the end of last season. And he should have been healthy going in to Spring Training. He specifically altered a swing that has been fantastic for 15 years.

[GburgNatsFan]

Wasn't there a story that Jayson Werth watched Bryce's swing and realized he himself needed to get his hands back, like Harper's? Or, like Harper's were?

He didn't have an altered swing at the end of last season. And he should have been healthy going in to Spring Training. He specifically altered a swing that has been fantastic for 15 years.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Paulie threw the best temper tantrums

ortiz has had a few. the bat to the O's phone . . .

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Anyone have the link to the study of how many PAs it takes for rate stats to stabilize?   I think K% stabilizes within about 100 PAs.  So far, the high Ks might be the worst sign, but it has to keep up for another few weeks to show a real problem.

[Dave301]

ortiz has had a few. the bat to the O's phone . . .

All nothing compared to this

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Funny, is that when he hurt his elbow?  throwing a gatorade bucket?

[GburgNatsFan]

All that's true and everything, but Bryce is a jerk.

All nothing compared to this

(Image removed from quote.)

[Dave301]

Harper batting 7th tonight.

[PC]

Harper batting 7th tonight.

Someone's gotta  bat #7.

[dracnal]

I think I'm liking Williams' style so far.  It used to drive me nuts that Davey was so resistant to shaking up a lineup or trying different things.  It's possible that Williams goes too far in the other direction for a lot of folks, but I wonder if being bounced around is a good thing for some folks?  I know the bullpen guys like to have assigned roles so they can prep mentally, but I wonder if in batting when it's not going well if it's better to avoid getting into the same mental space day in, day out?

[Slateman]

It's fine. When Harper gets out of this funk, he can slide in to the cleanup spot and Laroche can hit 7th.

Span
Rendon
Werth
Harper
Zim
Desmond
Laroche
Labaton
Pitcher

That's my ideal lineup with a Bryce Harper hitting well. Means that no team can bring in a lefty to face Span/Harper/Laroche and leave him in to face the next left hitter without getting punished. Particularly gives "protection" to Harper.

Of course, Harper needs to knock this sucking bullcrap off and get back to mashing baseballs.

[GNatsNoMore]

It's fine. When Harper gets out of this funk, he can slide in to the cleanup spot and Laroche can hit 7th.

Span
Rendon
Werth
Harper
Zim
Desmond
Laroche
Labaton
Pitcher

That's my ideal lineup with a Bryce Harper hitting well. Means that no team can bring in a lefty to face Span/Harper/Laroche and leave him in to face the next left hitter without getting punished. Particularly gives "protection" to Harper.

Of course, Harper needs to knock this sucking bullcrap off and get back to mashing baseballs.

I like this lineup.  It'll be interesting to see if Williams moves up Harper after he smashed the 3 R HR.  It was great to seem Harper hang tough and foul off all those pitches, then launch a bomb like that against a left hander.

[BH34Natural]

Should be in the top five regardless of how hes' going.

[TigerFan]

Should be in the top five regardless of how hes' going.

While I wouldn't completely disagree with your statement I said yesterday when the lineup was released batting 7th might allow him to be a little more free and while I am sure that's not why he hit that HR if moving him down to 7th, even temporarily, restores his swing/confidence, etc. I am all for it.

[cmdterps44]

Should be in the top five regardless of how hes' going.

Ok Matt Williams.

[imref]

so was that the longest HR ever hit in Nats park?

[wpa2629]

so was that the longest HR ever hit in Nats park?

Got to be up there  - top 3 easy

Dunn hit some up there I know

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I remember a few to upper deck more towards center, but I forget who bombed those out.  Visitor I think.

[ZimW1N]

Should be in the top five regardless of how hes' going.

Wrong. Rendon, Werth, Zim, and LaRoche are all swinging hot bats right now so who exactly would you demote to bring Harper into the top 5? You  may have a case for Span but he is better then Bryce in the lead off spot ATM until he starts chaining good ABs together. I love Bryce but he has done nothing to deserve a line up spot as of right now.

[Jordanz Meatballz]

so was that the longest HR ever hit in Nats park?

Not even close according the ESPN hit tracker. I think it was only 418 feet...

...which makes me think it's possible to hit a ball out of Nationals Park.

It'd be interesting to know if it's the ball that landed the highest.

[HalfSmokes]

...which makes me think it's possible to hit a ball out of Nationals Park.

As in clearing the concourse behind the loft?