Bryce Harper 2018 and beyond

[Ray D]

Yeah, I mean, he played all-out, and that added to his youthful exuberance, but he was popular at age 16 for being a baseball prodigy, not for playing hard. And he was popular in the minors for being a beast and being brash at times. Harper was one of the most popular baseball players in the country before he was ever running into walls.

I don't know for sure but my guess is that those of us here in DC knew about him because of the possibility that we would be able to draft him, but that he was not as well-known outside of DC (and maybe a few other cities with very bad teams who might also have a chance). And then, once he hit the major league scene, he became an instant sensation, known throughout the entire baseball community.

[varoadking]

There is also a huge difference between being well known and being popular...

[HalfSmokes]

I don't know for sure but my guess is that those of us here in DC knew about him because of the possibility that we would be able to draft him, but that he was not as well-known outside of DC (and maybe a few other cities with very bad teams who might also have a chance). And then, once he hit the major league scene, he became an instant sensation, known throughout the entire baseball community.

he was on the cover of SI, but no one subscribes to SI anymore, so that probably doesn't mean much

[Ray D]

he was on the cover of SI, but no one subscribes to SI anymore, so that probably doesn't mean much

Yeah the last time I laid eyes on SI was probably the last time I read Playboy.  Which was probably 40 years ago.

[spidernat]

this recent issue wasn't bad

[Ray D]

this recent issue wasn't bad

Just means they'll stink next season.

[NatsAllThe Way]

https://www.si.com/vault/2009/06/08/105822135/baseballs-lebron

haha - Baseball's LeBron.   

"One of his first at bats, he hit a ball into the gap, and there was no doubt in his mind from the moment he hit it that it was going to be a double," Oppenheimer says. "And it was close. He went into second sliding hard and got dirty and got his double. He played the game with a real ferocious type of attitude. He was out there to win. It was an old school way.

"He's the real deal. You know why? It's like he doesn't take the game and the gift that he has for granted. He's maximizing everything. You're not worried about him going out there and living on talent alone. He's working hard. He's playing hard. He has a maturity about him, a toughness that says he's going to work his butt off. It's really refreshing to see these kinds of skills and talent, and the work ethic and dedication to go with it."

LOLz~~



Maybe he needs to start wearing the paint again.

[varoadking]

https://www.si.com/vault/2009/06/08/105822135/baseballs-lebron

haha - Baseball's LeBron.   

"I'm going to play against you the way Pete Rose did," he says.

If only...

[NatsAllThe Way]

"I'm going to play against you the way Pete Rose did," he says.

If only...

Right?!?

[varoadking]

Right?!?

I have to wonder how much influence Boras has had on his style of play...to keep from getting hurt in a contract year?

[NatsAllThe Way]

I have to wonder how much influence Boras has had on his style of play...to keep from getting hurt in a contract year?

.218 BA   

If so, he'd be better off being injured.  That approach cost him 9 figures.

[Ray D]

.218 BA   

If so, he'd be better off being injured.  That approach cost him 9 figures.

I still think that having a reputation for being injury prone would hurt him more than a bad season.  If he can get through the entire season without an injury, he may be able to shake that reputation (in some teams' minds).  A bad season, they can rationalize it as "a bad season".

[bluestreak]

It's amazing all the Machiavellian machinations you guys are assuming going through Bryce Harper's head. And all the flaws in logic because so many here just don't like the guy....


I assume Bryce Harper wants to make money. Probably as much money as possible. The best way for him to do that is to perform well this season. It is more likely that the Nats will win if he performs well.
I am not getting how he is being selfish by playing this way. It's costing him tons of money sitting at a .218 BA. Why would he do that on purpose if his goal was to make money? Why would he do it if he wanted to be seen as a great player? It makes no sense to me. His interests and the team's interest are in perfect alignment.

And why in the world would you fault a guy for playing in a way that he doesn't get hurt? If he gets hurt it's bad for the team.

Look, it is entirely possible that the guy has somehow lost it and hasn't gotten it back. Maybe he will never be good again and he's a .220 hitter for the rest of his career. And it would be completely rational for the Nats to not sign him. But to say his bad performance is because of selfishness makes zero sense. Nor does the implication that it would somehow be easy to transform himself into a slap hitter midseason and mid slump.

People just have an irrational dislike of the guy. Sure he's cocky, but this is delving into actual hate and I don't really get it.

[Baseball is Life]

This is...not true.

He became popular because he could really play, not because he hustled. Sheesh.

[Baseball is Life]

It's amazing all the Machiavellian machinations you guys are assuming going through Bryce Harper's head. And all the flaws in logic because so many here just don't like the guy....


I assume Bryce Harper wants to make money. Probably as much money as possible. The best way for him to do that is to perform well this season. It is more likely that the Nats will win if he performs well.
I am not getting how he is being selfish by playing this way. It's costing him tons of money sitting at a .218 BA. Why would he do that on purpose if his goal was to make money? Why would he do it if he wanted to be seen as a great player? It makes no sense to me. His interests and the team's interest are in perfect alignment.

And why in the world would you fault a guy for playing in a way that he doesn't get hurt? If he gets hurt it's bad for the team.

Look, it is entirely possible that the guy has somehow lost it and hasn't gotten it back. Maybe he will never be good again and he's a .220 hitter for the rest of his career. And it would be completely rational for the Nats to not sign him. But to say his bad performance is because of selfishness makes zero sense. Nor does the implication that it would somehow be easy to transform himself into a slap hitter midseason and mid slump.

People just have an irrational dislike of the guy. Sure he's cocky, but this is delving into actual hate and I don't really get it.

It's really borders on pathological hate. There are a couple of posters on here who dislike all the big-name, high-priced players and take every opportunity to jump on them when they can. Some nitwits on here are even constantly picking on Scherzer for the same thing, like when he gives up a home run. I get that many fans like the Roarks, or the new kids like Soto, but to hate on a player because he's a big name and makes a lot of money is psychotic.

[varoadking]

It's amazing all the Machiavellian machinations you guys are assuming going through Bryce Harper's head. And all the flaws in logic because so many here just don't like the guy....

People just have an irrational dislike of the guy. Sure he's cocky, but this is delving into actual hate and I don't really get it.

Whoops...ya got that really wrong...

I happen to like him a great deal and always have.  He spends a lot of time with kids and has been a pleasure to have in this City.  He has always been very nice to me personally.  And he was once a great ballplayer.

His play is not what it once was.  Is there an issue with trying to explain / understand why that is...at 25 YOA?  He's not a classic over-the-hill example.  You offered some suggestions yourself...I am offering others...

[bluestreak]

Whoops...ya got that really wrong...

I happen to like him a great deal and always have.  He spends a lot of time with kids and has been a pleasure to have in this City.  He has always been very nice to me personally.  And he was once a great ballplayer.

His play is not what it once was.  Is there an issue with trying to explain / understand why that is?  You offered some suggestions yourself...I am offering others...

No. I think he's in his head and he's in a slump and sometimes he swings at pitches he shouldn't.

That's not what I am referring to. Some people here are insinuting he's a bad guy. Selfish is the word that sticks out to me as being the most commonly used. But there are others that seem to think that the slump isn't because he's performing badly, but simply because he doesn't want to do the things necessary to hit better or doesn't care. And that seems ridiculous.

[varoadking]

No. I think he's in his head and he's in a slump and sometimes he swings at pitches he shouldn't.

That's not what I am referring to. Some people here are insinuting he's a bad guy. Selfish is the word that sticks out to me as being the most commonly used. But there are others that seem to think that the slump isn't because he's performing badly, but simply because he doesn't want to do the things necessary to hit better or doesn't care. And that seems ridiculous.

Well...I'm certainly not insinuating that he's a "bad guy"...quite the contrary...he's been great for the City.  This is despite once referring to his fans as "Brutal."

My feelings for him aren't bordering on hate...it's frustration, and since we don't know what's going on, it compounds...

Forget his batting slump...that happens...but he's also lost the rocket, accurate-as-hell arm he once had, and this business of not running it out is infuriating...especially for a kid that wanted to emulate Pete Rose.

Something has changed.  If he's washed up...so be it...but I doubt that is the case.  Something else is going on...IMHO, of course.  Maybe he's playing hurt?  Whatever it is...it's not good for the fans or for him...

I hope for his sake that he finds an answer to whatever it is...

[UMDNats]

In my MLB18 the show franchise Bryce got hurt for 2 months and I went Eaton-Taylor-Soto and haven't missed a beat.

[NatsAllThe Way]

In my MLB18 the show franchise Bryce got hurt for 2 months and I went Eaton-Taylor-Soto and haven't missed a beat.

Well that settles it.  Trade Harper now for a few prospects.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

If people can't use this forum and sports in general as a proxy for real-life problems then what's the freaking point 

It's really borders on pathological hate. There are a couple of posters on here who dislike all the big-name, high-priced players and take every opportunity to jump on them when they can. Some nitwits on here are even constantly picking on Scherzer for the same thing, like when he gives up a home run. I get that many fans like the Roarks, or the new kids like Soto, but to hate on a player because he's a big name and makes a lot of money is psychotic.

[UMDNats]

Juan Soto, first 45 games of  his career:

.301/.415/.549

Bryce Harper, first 45 games of his career:

.289/.367/.514

[Baseball is Life]

Juan Soto, first 45 games of  his career:

.301/.415/.549

Bryce Harper, first 45 games of his career:

.289/.367/.514

The kid can hit but he can't play the OF. They need to move him to 1B and see if he can be better there.

[DPMOmaha]

Do we know if he can play 1B any better? Also not going to discount the notion he could improve as an outfielder over time.

[Baseball is Life]

Do we know if he can play 1B any better? Also not going to discount the notion he could improve as an outfielder over time.

I'm hoping he can play the OF better over time so I would always keep that as an option. But 1B is supposedly easier and he's a lefty so it's certainly worth a look, especially for the versatility.