The Bryce Harper Compendium (2015)

[vernon337]

Prepare for an offseason glut of Bryce vs. Trout stories ... and prepare to read some really goofy takes on it.

[BrandonK]

Prepare for an offseason glut of Bryce vs. Trout stories ... and prepare to read some really goofy takes on it.

"Is Cespedes Actually The MVP In The League?"

[DPMOmaha]

Prepare for an offseason glut of Bryce vs. Trout stories ... and prepare to read some really goofy takes on it.

Trout might not even be the best player in his own league, much less better than Harper...at least not this year.

[BrandonK]

I take it back. The media will push the hell out of Xander Bogaerts this offseason. He's having a great year.

[Slateman]

I take it back. The media will push the hell out of Xander Bogaerts this offseason. He's having a great year.

You know, I'm happy for the guy. He struggled last season and really improved. I'm a little jelly of Betts and Bogaerts.

[BrandonK]

You know, I'm happy for the guy. He struggled last season and really improved. I'm a little jelly of Betts and Bogaerts.

Same here. Wonder if either were actually on the table for Zmnn.

[Mattionals]

Trout might not even be the best player in his own league, much less better than Harper...at least not this year.

Donaldson hands down.

[DPMOmaha]

Donaldson hands down.

It's not hands down, but he's been slightly better this year.

[Mattionals]

It's not hands down, but he's been slightly better this year.

You are right. Didn't realize Trout was that close. Donaldson is definitely spoiled with a better offensive environment in Toronto with those RBI totals.

[DPMOmaha]

You are right. Didn't realize Trout was that close. Donaldson is definitely spoiled with a better offensive environment in Toronto with those RBI totals.

I didn't either until I looked it up. Hit his 40th HR tonight. Crazy.

[MorseTheHorse]

Highest OBP in a season, 2005-2015
1. TIE - Bryce Harper, .470
1. TIE - Chipper Jones, .470 (2008)
3. TIE - Joey Votto, .462 (2015)
3. TIE - Albert Pujols, .462 (2008)
5. Miguel Cabrera, .448 (2011)

I don't think I ever realized just how good Chipper Jones was until seeing this and then relooking at his career stats.   

[whytev]

... and he's not finished yet. I bet he still hits 5-6 more HRs. Maybe even bump that OBP up. GOAT

OBP went up today.

[imref]

Valuing a Harper extension:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/09/poll-valuing-a-bryce-harper-extension.html

would 13/$375 million do the trick?  I'd think Harper would be insane to turn that down.  And the Nats would be insane not to do the deal.

[houston-nat]

Valuing a Harper extension:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/09/poll-valuing-a-bryce-harper-extension.html

would 13/$375 million do the trick?  I'd think Harper would be insane to turn that down.  And the Nats would be insane not to do the deal.

Unless he spends his whole career getting injured constantly, 13/$375 could actually turn out to be an insane bargain. The Nats would HAVE to take that offer.

13/$525 might be what Boras counters with.

[Natsinpwc]

Unless he spends his whole career getting injured constantly, 13/$375 could actually turn out to be an insane bargain. The Nats would HAVE to take that offer.

13/$525 might be what Boras counters with.

Just make him part owner.

[mitlen]

Just make him part owner.

I'm paraphrasing this and trying to get it right.    Joe DiMaggio was asked what kind of contract he thought he could get out of Steinbrenner.    DiMaggio said something to the effect that Steinbrenner would call him "partner".

[Slateman]

Donaldson hands down.

Orly?

OBP: Trout (.394); Donaldson (.369)
SLG: Trout (.580); Donaldson (.574)
HR: Trout (40); Donaldson (39)
SB: Trout (10); Donaldson (6)
wRC+: Trout (168); Donaldson (155)
wOBA: Trout (.408); Donaldson (.399)
OPS: Trout (.974); Donaldson (.942)
ISO: Trout (.287); Donaldson (.275)
BB: Trout (84); Donaldson (64)
FP: Trout (1.000); Donaldson (.958)

[BeltwayBaseball]

I saw somewhere that all infield positions, even first base, are much more important defensively than any of the outfield positions when it came to saving runs. I'll try to find it some place.

That being the case and Trout's and Donaldson's wOBA being pretty close, I'd probably give it to Donaldson. But Trout's speed really helps in the wRC+ department. If only they would let him rack up 50 steals a season like he did that one time. Then it'd be a real question.

[whytev]

Orly?

OBP: Trout (.394); Donaldson (.369)
SLG: Trout (.580); Donaldson (.574)
HR: Trout (40); Donaldson (39)
SB: Trout (10); Donaldson (6)
wRC+: Trout (168); Donaldson (155)
wOBA: Trout (.408); Donaldson (.399)
OPS: Trout (.974); Donaldson (.942)
ISO: Trout (.287); Donaldson (.275)
BB: Trout (84); Donaldson (64)
FP: Trout (1.000); Donaldson (.958)

FP is a non-starter. 3B is way more premium, and Donaldson is great at it. Aside from that you have a point.

[DCFan]

What's this fascination he has with showing bunt all the time?  Sluggers don't bunt. Period. It ain't manly for one. 

[Ray D]

Sluggers don't bunt.

Mantle did.

[BrandonK]

[danjros]

If they were down a few runs and they needed baserunners thats one thing, but down by one with the NL leader in HR up when one swing can tie the game?  And how often does Bryce even bunt the ball fair.  Everytime I see him do it, its fouled off.  He walks so much, has the highest OBP and AVG in the league, odds are he gets on way more often with his normal approach anyway. 

[Baseball is Life]

Most of that time Harper is just fake bunting to get in their heads when they're shifting. I kind of like that, but I do not like him bunting at all.

[Natsinpwc]

If they were down a few runs and they needed baserunners thats one thing, but down by one with the NL leader in HR up when one swing can tie the game?  And how often does Bryce even bunt the ball fair.  Everytime I see him do it, its fouled off.  He walks so much, has the highest OBP and AVG in the league, odds are he gets on way more often with his normal approach anyway.

I am trying to figure out how this is any different than taking close pitches and drawing walks when he could swing and maybe hit a home run?  I would like to see him do more of the latter and think the occasional bunt or fake bunt is ok.