Author Topic: The Bryce Harper Watch (Read 215594 times)

Potomac Cannons · « **Reply #800 on:** November 05, 2010, 01:50:24 am »

Quote from: Obed_Marsh on November 05, 2010, 12:08:37 am

I sincerely hope so. I hated Riggleman when he managed the Cubs but gave him the benefit of the doubt when he was replacing Acta yet we could do better. Not buying out Riggleman will play second cousin to the potential of losing Dunn but it is the early frontrunner for my pick for the front office gaffe of 2011.

I know you can argue a manager has little impact on a season but I hate his predicable choices and think it matters more than I can quantify.

There was never any point at which keeping Riggleman beyond 2011 fit. Rizzo inherited the manager, the team needed 1-2 seasons to get all the kinks worked out (remember trading for Jamie Burke because Bowden left the system completely devoid of C above low A), and once 2012 rolls around a real manager will be put in place to take the rotation headed by Stras/JZ/2011 FA, completed IF, and catching duo of Ramos/Norris into the years of being playoff contenders that lie ahead.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #801 on:** November 05, 2010, 08:30:22 am »

This Riggles stuff belongs in a riggles thread. That said,

I think some aspiring managers, like say John Farrell, might be reluctant to take on this turd sandwich. While Manny remained a hot commodity and was fought over by the Indians and Astros, I think some look at Tony Pena and others and think, "if I walk into a no win situation, then I might get canned in 2 years and not get another chance." Better candidates, like a Valentine, might say "I'm on thin ice as it is; I'd better make sure I can succeed where I go."

That said, there does always seem to be takers for bad situations. Showalter, Dusty Baker, etc. . . I'm sure we could bring in Pena or Don Baylor if we want.

sportsfan882 · « **Reply #802 on:** November 05, 2010, 10:50:44 pm »

Harper 1/1 with a single, BB, and CS so far tonight. BA up to .400

People were nagging that he wasn't walking enough but the last few games he certainly has improved in that aspect.

Nathan · « **Reply #803 on:** November 05, 2010, 10:56:02 pm »

People aren't seriously nagging about the lack of BBs already, are they?

Lintyfresh85 · « **Reply #804 on:** November 05, 2010, 10:59:04 pm »

Quote from: Nathan on November 05, 2010, 10:56:02 pm

People aren't seriously nagging about the lack of BBs already, are they?

No.

Potomac Cannons · « **Reply #805 on:** November 05, 2010, 11:39:09 pm »

1-2, BB so far tonight, comes up 2nd top of the next inning.

Coladar · « **Reply #806 on:** November 06, 2010, 12:06:53 am »

Quote from: Potomac Cannons on November 05, 2010, 11:39:09 pm

1-2, BB so far tonight, comes up 2nd top of the next inning.

Since the team is off tomorrow, this means the Wednesday/Saturday limit isn't an issue tonight? So if the team doesn't play on Wednesday or Saturday, a taxi squad player can play whatever day they play before Wednesday or Saturday? Obviously that's the case if Harper is playing tonight, just didn't realize that was the case.

On another note, Harper is doing incredibly well lately. Seeing another walk is truly promising, it's showing his plate discipline is light years beyond what I was expecting in the AFL. I expected some hits, likely a few HRs, but also a ton of Ks. Three walks in two games so far this week? Exceptional. His one hit was a single I take it? Btw, do you have a link for keeping track of the game? Went to the Scorpion's MiLB site, and didn't see any game cast or other way of getting game updates.

NatsDad14 · « **Reply #807 on:** November 06, 2010, 12:08:58 am »

Quote from: Coladar on November 06, 2010, 12:06:53 am

Btw, do you have a link for keeping track of the game? Went to the Scorpion's MiLB site, and didn't see any game cast or other way of getting game updates.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/y2009/index.jsp?gid=2010_11_05_scowin_pddwin_1

Coladar · « **Reply #808 on:** November 06, 2010, 12:09:12 am »

Quote from: GMUNat on November 06, 2010, 12:08:58 am

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/y2009/index.jsp?gid=2010_11_05_scowin_pddwin_1

Thanks, much appreciated.

Coladar · « **Reply #809 on:** November 06, 2010, 12:11:17 am »

Quote from: Coladar on November 06, 2010, 12:09:12 am

Thanks, much appreciated.

I'm guessing the reason I didn't see a game cast on the MiLB site is because I'm on my iPad. Needs Flash to see anything on that link, which Apple stubbornly refuses to support. So I'm not retarded in case it's the first thing on the Scorpion's front page, just good old Apple and Adobe in their ongoing battle.

Coladar · « **Reply #810 on:** November 06, 2010, 01:45:55 am »

Harper finishes the night 1-4 with a walk and 2 Ks. Two Ks are bleh, but I'll take a .400 OBP for tonights game only any day of the week. This kid is simply amazing. And I'll bet everyone (I always said I wanted him in AFL) that had concerns putting him in AFL so early was a mistake is glad they weren't the ones making the decisions. Not only is Harper proving just how incredible he is, but he's gaining experience and dramatically improving the odds he starts at Potomac, or at least spends very little time in Hagerstown. This AFL season is just all around awesome for the franchise and Harper's career.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #811 on:** November 06, 2010, 12:23:48 pm »

8Ks in 23 ABs? .500 BABIP. He's doing very well, but he's not ready for upper minors. I'm thinking Hagerstown. He may benefit from playing against pitchers who can't throw strikes, forcing him to be patient.

epic_phalanx · « **Reply #812 on:** November 06, 2010, 01:24:25 pm »

I'd put my money on the FO's evaluation of their coaching to be the deciding factor between Harper starting in Hagerstown or Potomac.

(If there's a grammar Nazi out there... I feel like I messed that up in some way.)

Nick the Pig · « **Reply #813 on:** November 06, 2010, 05:25:17 pm »

Quote from: Nathan on November 05, 2010, 10:56:02 pm

People aren't seriously nagging about the lack of BBs already, are they?

Yeah, in a roundabout way.

http://www.wnff.net/index.php/topic,15585.msg653844.html#msg653844

http://www.wnff.net/index.php/topic,15585.msg654003.html#msg654003

And...

http://www.wnff.net/index.php/topic,15585.msg653881.html#msg653881

PANatsFan · « **Reply #814 on:** November 06, 2010, 05:30:59 pm »

Quote from: epic_phalanx on November 06, 2010, 01:24:25 pm

I'd put my money on the FO's evaluation of their coaching to be the deciding factor between Harper starting in Hagerstown or Potomac.

(If there's a grammar Nazi out there... I feel like I messed that up in some way.)

"or in Potomac."

Nathan · « **Reply #815 on:** November 06, 2010, 05:35:03 pm »

Those were more "if he doesn't take walks" not "he doesn't take walks" though.

Nick the Pig · « **Reply #816 on:** November 06, 2010, 05:39:23 pm »

Quote from: Nathan on November 06, 2010, 05:35:03 pm

Those were more "if he doesn't take walks" not "he doesn't take walks" though.

They were, yeah.

But I think there was a bit of prognostication based on current happenings there, don't you think ?

CALSGR8 · « **Reply #817 on:** November 07, 2010, 10:11:58 am »

That's because they're scared of his hitting ability. How many of those walks were intentional? Mattingly seems to think highly of Harper!

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=12966981

tomterp · « **Reply #818 on:** November 08, 2010, 01:26:09 pm »

Comment on Nov 1 by Kevin Goldstein, BP:

Quote

Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals (AFL: Scorpions)
The last thing anyone wants to do is make any assumption off four games. Still, just two weeks removed from his 18th birthday, Harper is more than holding his own in Arizona, going 6-for-17 with his first home run on Saturday off of Padres prospect (kind of) Erik Davis. But again, this isn't about the statistics as much as it is about scouts simply seeing someone whose tools stand out amongst the top prospects in the game, while his in-game abilities more than fit. In other words, he's a potential beast.

Coladar · « **Reply #819 on:** November 13, 2010, 10:54:53 pm »

I guess by his eighth start, the interest is fading since no ones posted a word of his game today six hours after it ended. Anyways...

0-3, reached on error, 1 BB, 1 SB (!!!) and a run scored.

Another solid game by Harper even when he doesn't get a hit. He did apparently screw up a catch of a fly ball in the second inning, but meh. He's been playing the outfield for all of a month.

imref · « **Reply #820 on:** November 14, 2010, 09:59:33 pm »

no strike-outs is a nice addition to his stat line.

Coladar · « **Reply #821 on:** November 17, 2010, 11:08:28 pm »

Damn that Harper loser is a bum. Grounded into a DP. Loser.

He's also 2-4 with a single, a double with subsequent RBI. And the game ain't over yet. He needs to start in Potomac. This is all AA and AAA talent, and he's owning them. Keep him in Potomac for twice as long, but the low-A talent he'll face has absolutely nothing to teach him at this point. Besides, how awesome will it be if his first manager is the guy who made Frank Robinson publicly weep? Freaking awesome.

Sharp · « **Reply #822 on:** November 17, 2010, 11:15:09 pm »

It's a small sample, but it does seem that I underestimated his hitting ability. I thought he'd be totally overwhelmed at this level. In some ways he still is--striking out in around a third of his at bats is not a good thing, and it's a league with a very high average--but not to the extent that he can't improve or learn anything from his experience. I imagine the Nats will take another look at him in spring training and then put him in high A.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #823 on:** November 18, 2010, 09:07:02 am »

11 Ks in 35 ABs. 11/23 on balls in play. Knock that down to a .347 BABIP, and he'd be .267 / .333 / .629. Still awesome in terms of power, but until he gets the Ks under control, he is not ready for AA. The difficulty with him in terms of development will be finding a level at which he can learn what he needs to work on without his ability to cripple mistakes leading to ignoring his weaknesses.

NatsDad14 · « **Reply #824 on:** November 18, 2010, 10:00:59 am »

Quote from: JCA-CrystalCity on November 18, 2010, 09:07:02 am

11 Ks in 35 ABs. 11/23 on balls in play. Knock that down to a .347 BABIP, and he'd be .267 / .333 / .629. Still awesome in terms of power, but until he gets the Ks under control, he is not ready for AA. The difficulty with him in terms of development will be finding a level at which he can learn what he needs to work on without his ability to cripple mistakes leading to ignoring his weaknesses.

But you have to remember that this league is the best prospects in A, AA, and AAA. He will only face maybe 5 pitchers in Potomac that are the caliber of the pitchers here. Plus those numbers are good even with the Strikeouts. Look at Mike Stanton as a comparison.