Based on “this year” if you’re an outsider watching Bryce Harper for the first time I can understand the evaluation of him being labeled “a selfish losing player”.
Harper has overthrown the cutoff man allowing runners to move up on several occasions this season to showcase his arm and did so again last night in New York. I’ve also seen Bryce after poor at-bats slamming helmets and bats around in the dugout while having large leads on the scoreboard which I’m sure doesn’t bode well with his teammates. And you can say what you want about Harper pulling himself from the game last night, I can easily see someone saying it appeared as if he was “packing it in” because he wasn’t likely going to get another at-bat.
All that being said, my evaluation of Harper is, he is simply ANOTHER over anxious player in their contract year. (a la Desmond) Harper is so anxious right now while hitting he is moving too early and too hard to the pitch causing himself to recoil (jolt) against his front side. It’s hard enough to hit MLB pitching you certainly don’t want your eyes jolting around and your weight bouncing back towards the catcher as you swing. Harper has had success in the past when recoiling however, it’s never been as violent/jolting as now. That’s how talented and strong he is how many players can recoil towards the catcher and still hit a baseball 420 feet.
I’m sure it’s not gonna be easy to get an anxious Harper to calm down with that much 💰 💰 coin 💰 💰 on the table.
Go Nats!
