The Bryce Harper Compendium (2015)

[NJ Ave]

I'm just sitting back in awe at the season he's putting together right now.  This is something really special, and it's just freaking cool to have him here. 

Most amazing thing to me is that in April he struck out in 30% of his PA. Since then he's struck out in less than 16% of his plate appearances, while going bionic in every other way. It's truly Bondsian.

[More of #34]

I'm just sitting back in awe at the season he's putting together right now.  This is something really special, and it's just freaking cool to have him here.

Agree.  He's having a very special year and I try never to miss an at-bat.

[blue911]

I understand he's Mormon, but has Harper ever said he doesn't drink?  He drank on camera while underage and Mormon during the 2012 clubhouse celebration.

Yes

[Baseball is Life]

Sorry, don't buy it. If someone recognized Harper at a bar and saw him drinking, he/she would have snapped a pic and put it on reddit.

Yeah, I'm glad to see others have a BS radar. It's not like the guy is hard to recognize. Half the people in the bar would be posting his pic on every social media outlet within minutes.

[tomterp]

I don't know what else you can say about the last two games, other than that Harper has punked Bochy big time.  You name it, the Giants have tried it and it's all failed. 


I'll let Boswell recap, saves me typing.   

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/nats-giants-jockey-for-october-position/2015/07/04/556c55f8-2264-11e5-aeb9-a411a84c9d55_story.html

The most fascinating sub-text of this series has been the prickly matchup between Harper, who had three homers and a double in the division series last year against San Francisco, and Giants Manager Bruce Bochy. On Friday night, Bochy intentionally walked Harper in the first inning, a message that “we’re going to frustrate you all series.” But after Harper’s third straight walk of the night, Clint Robinson homered — the result a 2-1 Nats win. So how did the walks work out?

By the seventh inning, with the Nats ahead 6-1, Harper was having his way, doubling off the right field scoreboard. Bochy and the Giants tried a trick that one Nat said, “I haven’t seen since Pony League.” While shortstop Brandon Crawford, a buddy of Harper’s, engaged him in conversation, center fielder Gregor Blanco raced 50 yards to duck behind Harper for a pick-off throw at second base. Coaches screamed, Harper barely got back, then said afterward that “time was out” anyway, so the whole thing was irrelevant.

But the trick play, while smart, was also a barely veiled attempt to show up Harper in a national TV game as a still-raw star who could be suckered. In the next half-inning, it was “et tu, Blanco.” Ian Desmond grabbed a grounder in the shortstop hole, faked a throw to first, then raced to catch Blanco by inches as he rounded third base too far.

Minutes later, Bochy used a shift on Harper, with no one playing third base that is always intended to get in a hitter’s head. They want me to alter my style to slap a ground ball single to left. Should I? What if I fail? Will I look stupid?

Harper, almost casually, slapped the perfect hit to left as if he could do it in his sleep. “I hope they keep doing it because it means more hits. If you’re going to hit .300, you have to do [everything] you can do,” said Harper, who then praised Bochy and the Giants for any number of wonderful qualities and feats. Right.

 

[skippy1999]

I don't always like Boswell but that was a fun read, almost as fun as watching Bryce punk Bochy

[aussienatsfan]

This kid is just on fire again. If it isn't a homer, he's turning singles into doubles, he looks good with his legs and stole a base today and he still takes his walks. This giants series was massive. He's now leading the NL in OBP, and is right behind Goldshmidt for the best BA in the league as well. OPS almost back at .1200 and he just continues to get it done. He is a freak

[Natsinpwc]

MVP.

[mdnatsfan]

Just my second game this year at the park, but when Bryce comes up, everyone is watching. He is the most exciting player in baseball right now.

[tomterp]

Giants had a game plan to neutralize Harper, they were NOT going to let him beat them.   

Still, in 13 plate appearances he had 1 HR, 2 - 2B, 2 singles, and 5 walks.  He scored 4 runs and drove in another (out of total 14 scored by the Nats).

 

[Smithian]

Giants had a game plan to neutralize Harper, they were NOT going to let him beat them.   

Still, in 13 plate appearances he had 1 HR, 2 - 2B, 2 singles, and 5 walks.  He scored 4 runs and drove in another (out of total 14 scored by the Nats).

 

Ramos and Robinson homers behind him last couple days hopefully will get Harper some more stuff to hit. Have to give opponents at least a bit of nerves about guys behind him putting it over the wall.

[Dschmiel]

Giants had a game plan to neutralize Harper, they were NOT going to let him beat them.   

Still, in 13 plate appearances he had 1 HR, 2 - 2B, 2 singles, and 5 walks.  He scored 4 runs and drove in another in two (out of total 14 scored by the Nats).

 

FTFY

[Smithian]

Reds coming to town. If Harper wears a pitch, then the Nats pitcher better miss up and in on Joey Votto next time up or DFA their ass. And for good measure, any Nats baserunner not named Harper should cleat Brandon Phillips so blatant and viciously they earn a suspension.

If Harper hits the DL then the Mets are back in the game.

[Natsinpwc]

Reds coming to town. If Harper wears a pitch, then the Nats pitcher better miss up and in on Joey Votto next time up or DFA their ass. And for good measure, any Nats baserunner not named Harper should cleat Brandon Phillips so blatant and viciously they earn a suspension.

If Harper hits the DL then the Mets are back in the game.

I nominate Desmond to go hard into second and take one for the team.  Of course he would have to get on base

[Smithian]

I nominate Desmond to go hard into second and take one for the team.  Of course he would have to get on base

True.

If Harper pimps a home run and sits at the plate watching it until clears the wall before slow jogging the bases it would be amazing. If he mixed in a kiss to Joey Votto while rounding first I would dip into my meager bank account to help pay the fine.

[Natsinpwc]

True.

If Harper pimps a home run and sits at the plate watching it until clears the wall before slow jogging the bases it would be amazing. If he mixed in a kiss to Joey Votto while rounding first I would dip into my meager bank account to help pay the fine.

No reason to get into a pissing contest with he Reds--their season is over and of something happens we will not see them until 2016--save it for the Cards, Dodgers and division rivals

[mitlen]

No reason to get into a pissing contest with he Reds--their season is over and of something happens we will not see them until 2016--save it for the Cards, Dodgers and division rivals

"Revenge is a dish best served cold."

[Baseball is Life]

Reds coming to town. If Harper wears a pitch, then the Nats pitcher better miss up and in on Joey Votto next time up or DFA their ass. And for good measure, any Nats baserunner not named Harper should cleat Brandon Phillips so blatant and viciously they earn a suspension.

If Harper hits the DL then the Mets are back in the game.

The Nats should be ready to not take any more of the Red's crap, but don't start anything. The Nats are on a roll...why mess with it, especially given the list of injured players.

Here's a nice article on Harper being selected to the ASG.
http://www.masnsports.com/byron-kerr/2015/07/harper-definitely-excited-about-returning-to-the-all-star-game-as-a-starter.html

[Ray D]

I nominate Desmond to go hard into second and take one for the team.  Of course he would have to get on base

That's easy.  Keep him out of the lineup and put him in as a pinch runner.

[Slateman]

No reason to get into a pissing contest with he Reds--their season is over and of something happens we will not see them until 2016--save it for the Cards, Dodgers and division rivals

True. We might want some off them at the deadline.

[Baseball is Life]

Harper is coming on "The Sports Fix" on WTEM 980 at 12:30.

[tomterp]

FTFY

Well, one of the runs he scored was also an RBI so I didn't want to double count, hence my careful wording.

[whytev]

Giants had a game plan to neutralize Harper, they were NOT going to let him beat them.   

Still, in 13 plate appearances he had 1 HR, 2 - 2B, 2 singles, and 5 walks.  He scored 4 runs and drove in another (out of total 14 scored by the Nats).

 

I calculate .625/.769/1.250 on the series.

[whytev]

That's easy.  Keep him out of the lineup and put him in as a pinch runner.

He gets a lot of fielder's choices where he ends up on first.

[varoadking]

No home run derby for Bruce this year...

http://www.csnwashington.com/baseball-washington-nationals/talk/bryce-harper-makes-decision-home-run-derby?cid=email:alert:breaking