The Bryce Harper Compendium (2014)

[madj55]

Put him in CF and bat him 3rd.

I'm starting to wonder if he actually hits better when he plays in CF like he says he does or if it's just more bullcrap.

[Slateman]

I'm starting to wonder if he actually hits better when he plays in CF like he says he does or if it's just more bullcrap.

Probably a bit of both.  His ego gets involved and he feels good about himself.

[Ray D]

I'm starting to wonder if he actually hits better when he plays in CF like he says he does or if it's just more bullcrap.

More bullcrap.  He says he plays better because he feels better when he's in center, but as soon as he misplays a fly ball over his head, he won't feel so good about being in center anymore.

[DPMOmaha]

If the adage is true (and I don't know that it is, but anecdotally it seems to have some credence) that it takes 100 at bats after coming off the DL to get up to speed at the plate, Harper's at 29 PA's and 25 AB's. It took Zim about that long after coming off the DL.

[Dave301]

Maybe let him DH in Baltimore to let him forget about this OF controversy for a bit. Idk.

[spidernat]

Maybe Harper really sees himself as comparable or competing against Trout and that's why he's so hell bent on playing CF. 

[HalfSmokes]

Maybe Harper really sees himself as comparable or competing against Trout and that's why he's so hell bent on playing CF. 

If that's the case, he might want to hit better too

[Slateman]

If that's the case, he might want to hit better too

And stay on the field. And steal bases.

[Optics]

100 ABs sounds about right. I remember when Mikey Mo returned from his long DL stint in 2012 and his timing was REALLY off. However, he wasn't missing pitches as bad as Harper was IIRC.

[madj55]

100 ABs sounds about right. I remember when Mikey Mo returned from his long DL stint in 2012 and his timing was REALLY off. However, he wasn't missing pitches as bad as Harper was IIRC.

Mikey Mo swung like a damn lumberjack. Harper has so many moving pieces in his swing, it might take him a little longer than 100 ABs.

[HalfSmokes]

So between getting injured, realizing he's injured, being on the DL, and getting his swing right, 1/3 to 1/2 of his season just gets chalked up to oh well?

[Slateman]

So between getting injured, realizing he's injured, being on the DL, and getting his swing right, 1/3 to 1/2 of his season just gets chalked up to oh well?

And?

[BH34Natural]

So, is the majority thinking when Harper's time comes he still wants to re-sign and play his career here in Washington or are we still thinking he will want a change of scenery? Obviously we have the most money to give him a huge contract; bar none. But I'm starting to wonder if Williams, etc. and lack of his own maturity may call for him wanting a change of scenery when the time comes. Remember in 2012 he said he wanted to spend his whole career in DC and even recently remarked how much he loves playing here. Just seems like he is unhappy - something I sense. I dont know.

[BH34Natural]

So between getting injured, realizing he's injured, being on the DL, and getting his swing right, 1/3 to 1/2 of his season just gets chalked up to oh well?

And I dont understand why when I point this out about Bryce Harper I get trolled and attacked.

I have said for a long time that it's always an issue of some type with him. Injury, sick, complaint, something he said to the media, slumping, getting swing right, needs a day off to mentally clear his head, etc. etc. etc.

Never just two or three months without some type of controversy.

[nats2playoffs]

Maybe Harper really sees himself as comparable or competing against Trout and that's why he's so hell bent on playing CF. 

Harper knows that a left fielder is usually a defensive liability.  He doesn't like to think of himself that way.
 
If he wants to help the team, he should plan to learn how to play 2B or 3B in the off season, so Zimmerman can stay in LF. LaRoche has made himself too valuable enough to let him go.
 
Espinosa should force himself to only bat right-handed, if he wants to play major league ball full time. If he's injured, he needs to get himself surgically repaired.

[spidernat]

And I dont understand why when I point this out about Bryce Harper I get trolled and attacked.

I have said for a long time that it's always an issue of some type with him. Injury, sick, complaint, something he said to the media, slumping, getting swing right, needs a day off to mentally clear his head, etc. etc. etc.

Never just two or three months without some type of controversy.

Because you're so freaking neurotic about it and go overboard with it. One minute you're junk punching him. The next you're slurping his cock. Case in point, you're obsessed with talking about Harper re-singing here when that won't even happen for FOUR more freaking seasons. He doesn't become a FA until 2019 for freak's sake. He's under team control for FOUR more years and you want to talk about that. You're like a high school girl who can't help but find ways to bring up her boyfriend in every conversation. That or you're just trolling.

[BH34Natural]

Because you're so freaking neurotic about it and go overboard with it. One minute you're junk punching him. The next you're slurping his ****. Case in point, you're obsessed with talking about Harper re-singing here when that won't even happen for FOUR more freaking seasons. He doesn't become a FA until 2019 for freak's sake. He's under team control for FOUR more years and you want to talk about that. You're like a high school girl who can't help but find ways to bring up her boyfriend in every conversation. That or you're just trolling.

I've talked a lot of ball on a separate MLB board and in the Angels forum, they talked about Trout and him re-signing there similarly up until when he signed the extension. This went on from 2012 until this past March when he signed it. There was even a thread about it in the angels forum, pinned to the top. All about Trout and his extension or where he might sign etc. etc.

I think you're the one being neurotic.

[Slateman]

Harper knows that a left fielder is usually a defensive liability.  He doesn't like to think of himself that way.
 
If he wants to help the team, he should plan to learn how to play 2B or 3B in the off season, so Zimmerman can stay in LF. LaRoche has made himself too valuable enough to let him go.
 
Espinosa should force himself to only bat right-handed, if he wants to play major league ball full time. If he's injured, he needs to get himself surgically repaired.

I really do think he'd be a good third baseman. However, his future should be RF. Move Zim to first, put Werth in LF, and have Harper's arm in RF.

[GburgNatsFan]

He'd be a great 1B, too. He'd be involved in almost every play, which is what he craves. Zimm can still go to LF.

The answer to his petulant attitude is the infield.

I really do think he'd be a good third baseman. However, his future should be RF. Move Zim to first, put Werth in LF, and have Harper's arm in RF.

[Slateman]

He'd be a great 1B, too. He'd be involved in almost every play, which is what he craves. Zimm can still go to LF.

The answer to his petulant attitude is the infield.

eh, I don't like Zim in LF, mainly because I think Werth should be there. Zim at first is fine.

[More of #34]

If he hits, I don't give a rat's a$$ where he plays.

[Matugi]

If the adage is true (and I don't know that it is, but anecdotally it seems to have some credence) that it takes 100 at bats after coming off the DL to get up to speed at the plate, Harper's at 29 PA's and 25 AB's. It took Zim about that long after coming off the DL.

This is what I was thinking.  Harper has been bad, but Zim was batting .196 coming off the DL and now he's raking.  Haven't lost hope yet.

[Slateman]

It's gonna take Bryce about 15 more games if we go by the 100 PA rule.

On the other hand, he could work his ass off during the break. We'll see.

[DPMOmaha]

It's gonna take Bryce about 15 more games if we go by the 100 PA rule.

On the other hand, he could work his ass off during the break. We'll see.

I don't think it has anything to do with how much work he puts in over the break. He won't be able to face any major league pitching during that time.

[Slateman]

I don't think it has anything to do with how much work he puts in over the break. He won't be able to face any major league pitching during that time.

Livo