Author Topic: The Bryce Harper Compendium (2013) (Read 50406 times)

wpa2629 · « **Reply #125 on:** March 20, 2013, 04:25:03 pm »

JUPITER, Fla. — Bryce Harper had two hits and drove in four runs to help the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 7-5 Wednesday.

Harper had a two-run double in the third and a two-run single in the fifth, raising his spring batting average to .400 (20-for-50) with 12 RBIs

tomterp · « **Reply #126 on:** March 20, 2013, 07:28:24 pm »

John Perrotto, BP

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=19884

Quote

You had the feeling Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was only scratching the surface last season when he won the National League Rookie of the Year award and hit .270/.340/.477 with 22 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 597 plate appearances while contributing 4.5 WARP. He did all that as a 19-year-old.

This spring, scouts are raving about how much he has improved. Harper is hitting .444/.459/.806 with three home runs in 37 plate appearances this spring.

“He’s looked great all spring,” said a scout who regularly covers the Nationals. “He’ll definitely be a 30-30 guy this year, and he might even push 40-40. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is the best player in the National League by the end of the season. He’s going to take off this season the way Mike Trout did with the Angels last year.”

tomterp · « **Reply #127 on:** March 20, 2013, 07:30:44 pm »

Top Tools - Arm Strength
BP Staff

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=19847

Quote

Top Major-League Arm: Bryce Harper (Washington Nationals)
All-Time Tool: Jesse Barfield

How to Identify It:

Similar to identifying arm strength on the infield, the top and bottom of the scale in the outfield can jump off the field and become very obvious to any onlooker. While the results are what really matter, there is a greater focus on how the player accomplishes those results in the outfield than in the infield. As an evaluator, I (Mark Anderson) want to see a longer arm sweep and an over-the-top throwing motion, allowing the throw to stay true and not drift to either side. I look for throws to stay on a line and exhibit good carry to their destination. As a means to make a case stronger or clarify an opinion, the way the ball bounces on lower throws can be an indicator of arm strength. Though it is not a guaranteed indicator, balls that “skip” off the ground rather than catch and “hop” as they approach their target are often the work of a high-level arm. With outfield arms, the difference between above-average and plus arms can be even more difficult to pinpoint. Taking everything into consideration—including the velocity, throwing mechanics and even the bounce—can help to paint the complete picture that leads to a more accurate score.

Jordanz Meatballz · « **Reply #128 on:** March 20, 2013, 08:32:24 pm »

What makes people think Bryce Harper can get to 40 steals? He looked lost out on the basepaths last year, even if he did some great instinctive things.

Why would you even want him to steal in front of Zimmerman, I don't think that's a necessary risk.

Slateman · « **Reply #129 on:** March 20, 2013, 08:54:28 pm »

Quote from: Jordanz Meatballz on March 20, 2013, 08:32:24 pm

What makes people think Bryce Harper can get to 40 steals? He looked lost out on the basepaths last year, even if he did some great instinctive things.

Why would you even want him to steal in front of Zimmerman, I don't think that's a necessary risk.

The same thing that makes me think he can get to 40 home runs and hit .290+ Everything in his game will improve.

Smithian · « **Reply #130 on:** March 20, 2013, 09:01:43 pm »

I believe in Bryce.

40/30 is my hope this season.

Tyler Durden · « **Reply #131 on:** March 20, 2013, 11:20:29 pm »

Quote from: tomterp on March 20, 2013, 07:30:44 pm

Top Tools - Arm Strength
BP Staff

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=19847

I think Ankiel was better.

zimm_da_kid · « **Reply #132 on:** March 20, 2013, 11:20:48 pm »

first ever 40/40/.340 season. book it.

Tyler Durden · « **Reply #133 on:** March 20, 2013, 11:25:50 pm »

Quote from: Jordanz Meatballz on March 20, 2013, 08:32:24 pm

What makes people think Bryce Harper can get to 40 steals? He looked lost out on the basepaths last year, even if he did some great instinctive things.

Why would you even want him to steal in front of Zimmerman, I don't think that's a necessary risk.

Maybe it would cut down in Zim's GIDPs?

But I don't think Harper will have as many chances to steal as he had last year. A lot of the time, he won't be alone on the basepaths with Werth and Span getting on base in front of him.

zimm_da_kid · « **Reply #134 on:** March 20, 2013, 11:41:24 pm »

Quote from: Tyler Durden on March 20, 2013, 11:25:50 pm

Maybe it would cut down in Zim's GIDPs?

But I don't think Harper will have as many chances to steal as he had last year. A lot of the time, he won't be alone on the basepaths with Werth and Span getting on base in front of him.

I think he'll have more chances to steal considering that he'll likely get on base at a considerably higher clip.

houston-nat · « **Reply #135 on:** March 21, 2013, 12:07:17 am »

Quote from: zimm_da_kid on March 20, 2013, 11:20:48 pm

first ever 40/40/.340 season. book it.

40/30/.430

BH34Natural · « **Reply #136 on:** March 21, 2013, 01:04:26 am »

Just dont get hurt and if he doesnt someone unbelievable is going to happen statistically.

DPMOmaha · « **Reply #137 on:** March 21, 2013, 01:16:50 am »

Quote from: BH34Natural on March 21, 2013, 01:04:26 am

Just dont get hurt and if he doesnt someone unbelievable is going to happen statistically.

Is that kinda like the Big Bang?

Tyler Durden · « **Reply #138 on:** March 21, 2013, 09:20:59 am »

Quote from: gatanats on March 21, 2013, 05:23:58 am

Span doesn't have great speed, or even really good speed.

He is very fast. Just not great at stealing bases.

Ray D · « **Reply #139 on:** March 21, 2013, 09:54:53 am »

Quote from: gatanats on March 20, 2013, 02:39:57 am

If Span is hitting .230, he offers nothing to this team.

If he's batting .230 but getting on base at a .350 rate he'll be fine. Which is unlikely, but the point is his batting average doesn't matter as long as he is getting on base. If his OBP is .300 he won't leadoff long.

Slateman · « **Reply #140 on:** March 21, 2013, 11:01:17 am »

Quote from: zimm_da_kid on March 20, 2013, 11:41:24 pm

I think he'll have more chances to steal considering that he'll likely get on base at a considerably higher clip.

Plus Zimmerman is a patient hitter who does well with two strikes

Slateman · « **Reply #141 on:** March 21, 2013, 11:04:58 am »

Quote from: Ray D on March 21, 2013, 09:54:53 am

If he's batting .230 but getting on base at a .350 rate he'll be fine. Which is unlikely, but the point is his batting average doesn't matter as long as he is getting on base. If his OBP is .300 he won't leadoff long.

That simply isn't going to happen. If he's hitting .230 his OBP will be around .305-.315. Which means Bernadina would be a better player.

Terps and Nats · « **Reply #142 on:** March 21, 2013, 12:07:00 pm »

I don't know, I dont think it really matters. I dont see Davey running all that much anyways. I think it might be about like it was last year. Some guys will go in situational spots, but it's not like we are suddenly going to have a 40 stolen base guy.

spidernat · « **Reply #143 on:** March 21, 2013, 12:35:59 pm »

Quote from: BH34Natural on March 21, 2013, 01:04:26 am

Just dont get hurt and if he doesnt someone unbelievable is going to happen statistically.

This means BH34Natural will give birth to Harper's baby.

Lintyfresh85 · « **Reply #144 on:** March 21, 2013, 02:23:14 pm »

I love how many people on here think Span is going to hit .230 when his career average is .284.

Because 29 year olds in their prime always drop off .055 points in average. It's embarrassing how many people are already hating on him on WNFF. For what? A slow start to ST?

madj55 · « **Reply #145 on:** March 21, 2013, 02:32:02 pm »

Quote from: Lintyfresh85 on March 21, 2013, 02:23:14 pm

I love how many people on here think Span is going to hit .230 when his career average is .284.

Because 29 year olds in their prime always drop off .055 points in average. It's embarrassing how many people are already hating on him on WNFF. For what? A slow start to ST?

Who gives a freak what they think, Span will be fine and that's all that matters.

LostYudite · « **Reply #146 on:** March 21, 2013, 02:37:30 pm »

Quote from: Lintyfresh85 on March 21, 2013, 02:23:14 pm

I love how many people on here think Span is going to hit .230 when his career average is .284.

Because 29 year olds in their prime always drop off .055 points in average. It's embarrassing how many people are already hating on him on WNFF. For what? A slow start to ST?

Yeah, this. He's a career .284 hitter with a career .357 OBP. All the various projections have him at a .330 OBP at worst. His worst season ever - when he had a concussion - was .328. How do people get him down at .305? Besides that, he's still got upside potential - he's headed into his peak years - he could have a season or two at .370/.380 in him yet. That and plus defense combined with less wear-and-tear on Bryce will do just fine, thanks. He's not Nook Logan, folks.

spidernat · « **Reply #147 on:** March 21, 2013, 02:42:16 pm »

Quote from: Lintyfresh85 on March 21, 2013, 02:23:14 pm

It's embarrassing how many people are already hating on him on WNFF. For what? A slow start to ST?

Galah · « **Reply #148 on:** March 21, 2013, 02:45:39 pm »

...and why are we focused on Span on the Harper compendium....regardless, I'm looking forward to getting to see one CF for the bulk of the season, same guy, day after day....haven't had that since Nyjer left

rbw5t · « **Reply #149 on:** March 21, 2013, 02:46:16 pm »

I get drooly fantasizing about Span and Werth getting on at a .375 OBP clip ahead of Harper-Zim-ALR-Des. If Span/Werth get on at .340 we'll be ok, but if they get on at .380, we'll be a force! (Total mindfacting probably, someone smarter than me can figure out how many runs, and thus wins, an extra .040 OBP out of your top two hitters amounts to.)