The Bryce Harper Watch

[ronnynat]

video of B-Harp hitting another homer in the Instructional League. youtube.com/watch?v=-7FHLUA6ckg

That's a great power swing.

[Potomac Cannons]

video of B-Harp hitting another homer in the Instructional League. youtube.com/watch?v=-7FHLUA6ckg

Nice to have an audible oohhh from the crowd on contact.

[imref]

is there any doubt that they send him to the AFL?

[Upark25]

is there any doubt that they send him to the AFL?

Not anymore. Especially not after this last week which he hit really well. Call me crazy but I think the Nats organization is going to fast track Harper to the point where we could possibly see him in DC as soon as next season. The comments about leaving the OF the way it is this offseason makes me think this.

[Lintyfresh85]

That's probably not what's best for his playing future.

And, the Nats are leaving the OF as is, because Rizzo either does not understand how bad the OF is, or, he has no money to spend on improvements.

[tomterp]

Not anymore. Especially not after this last week which he hit really well. Call me crazy but I think the Nats organization is going to fast track Harper to the point where we could possibly see him in DC as soon as next season. The comments about leaving the OF the way it is this offseason makes me think this.

I think 2012 is more reasonable, even that's a fast track.  He needs to start at low A, and work his way up at a modest pace.  At each level, he's going to be facing better pitching than he's ever faced.  No reason to start his major league clock running until he's a major leaguer in all ways.

[imref]

Not anymore. Especially not after this last week which he hit really well. Call me crazy but I think the Nats organization is going to fast track Harper to the point where we could possibly see him in DC as soon as next season. The comments about leaving the OF the way it is this offseason makes me think this.

From a marketing perspective, seeing Harper and Strasburg next September will take the sting off another 90 loss season and get us excited for 2012.

[imref]

I think 2012 is more reasonable, even that's a fast track.  He needs to start at low A, and work his way up at a modest pace.  At each level, he's going to be facing better pitching than he's ever faced.  No reason to start his major league clock running until he's a major leaguer in all ways.

Do you think they'll start him at low-A?  ben said they had a similar track in mind for him as the one they used for Strasburg.  If Harper does well at AFL and spring training, it wouldn't be surprising to see him start at Harrisburg, or maybe Potomac with an eye to a quick move to Harrisburg.

[Lintyfresh85]

Harper is a boy. He needs to be in A Ball where he can learn to fail and adjust one step at a time.

Strasburg was 22 when he made his debut, 5 years older than Harper is right now.

[tomterp]

I would expect low-A, but possibly Potomac if he tears it up in the AFL, presuming he goes.

[PANatsFan]

That's probably not what's best for his playing future.

And, the Nats are leaving the OF as is, because Rizzo either does not understand how bad the OF is, or, he has no money to spend on improvements.

It's possible hardball negotiating as well, trying not to look desperate.

[Lintyfresh85]

Well, Riggleman also said he expects the same 5 guys to be back next year to make up the OF... so, unless they're both saying it to not appear desperate... I'd imagine they either didn't get the money needed, or Rizzo does believe the OF is ok.

Neither is really good for the future of the Nats.

[houston-nat]

It's possible hardball negotiating as well, trying not to look desperate.

Yeah, if Rizzo says something related to free agency negotiations, I would definitely not take it at face value.

[Coladar]

It's possible hardball negotiating as well, trying not to look desperate.

I think this isn't a case where that is true, however. Willingham is definitive. Morse and Bernadina are definitive. That leaves CF. Morgan. Everything you read, especially in the last 24 hours, they intend to bring Morgan back. Now who's to say they won't get that "perfect" offer and be "forced" to trade him, say for a bag of pine tar and three used baseballs. That could happen. But else wise, our OF is acceptable going into next season. And from Rizzo's PoV, he could easily think Morgan had one bad year and get him back to where he was the last half of 09, and he's as good as Rizzo would get there. It won't happen, I'm just saying that could go through Rizzos mind. The scenario is certainly there and its believable where Rizzo could be content with the OF.

So bottom line, I don't believe it is negotiating. I think they truly do believe this is the plan right now. If trades come up that alter that, it's coincidence. I honestly believe they are content with the OF as it stands going into 2011.

[Upark25]

From a marketing perspective, seeing Harper and Strasburg next September will take the sting off another 90 loss season and get us excited for 2012.

Thats my thinking. I obviously don't think its good but I think the Nats want Harper up with Strasburg for a full season (or atleast half of one) starting in 2012.

[Nick the Pig]

Thats my thinking. I obviously don't think its good but I think the Nats want Harper up with Strasburg for a full season (or atleast half of one) starting in 2012.

It makes sense once you realize that 2013 is Zimm's walk year.

[PANatsFan]

It makes sense once you realize that 2013 is Zimm's walk year.

Realistically, that's 20 never. No one is THAT bad at business as to let Zim walk.

[Nick the Pig]

Realistically, that's 20 never. No one is THAT bad at business as to let Zim walk.

Hey, I agree.  Letting Zimm walk would be monumentally stupid, assuming that his contract demands didn't include a seat in Congress or something of the like.

But if the 2013 season rolls around, and the Face of the Franchise is dealing with his 7th (and counting) losing season in DC, then something's gotta be done.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Hey, I agree.  Letting Zimm walk would be monumentally stupid, assuming that his contract demands didn't include a seat in Congress or something of the like.

But if the 2013 season rolls around, and the Face of the Franchise is dealing with his 7th (and counting) losing season in DC, then something's gotta be done.

Whatever team signs Adrian Beltre to a 3 year contract in the offseason will be bidding on Zimmerman. 

[Nick the Pig]

Whatever team signs Adrian Beltre to a 3 year contract in the offseason will be bidding on Zimmerman.

In 2014, I assume ?

[Upark25]

If this team isn't good by 2014 then Zimmerman deserves to walk.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

In 2014, I assume ?

Unstated but yes, bidding on him when he is a free agent in 2014.

[bglide]

This guy is baseball.  He will be the best hitter to come into the league ever.  No one has the bat speed or power he does.  We were so fortunate to ge him and Stras.  

[cmdterps44]

This guy is baseball.  He will be the best hitter to come into the league ever.  No one has the bat speed or power he does.  We were so fortunate to ge him and Stras. 

I consider him the Griffey of this generation.

[imref]

Kilgore has another update from the instructional league:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2010/10/a_bryce_harper_update_from_the.html

It doesn't look like he's going to the AFL.