Bryce Harper 2018 and beyond

[Natsinpwc]

Rendon went to Rice (the Stanford of the Southwest). Even allowing for a baseball admission, I doubt very much he's "dumb." Bryce, I dunno. The grin I believe is Rendon's "resting face," nothing he can do about it.

I remember reading an article that he just basically picked up a guitar one day and taught himself overnight how to play. So maybe not book smart but he seems to have some other talents.

[Slateman]

You mean, a standard drill that's been done in baseball since the hitting tee was invented?

Doesn't mean it doesn't work. Sorry, but Rosenthal confirms it. Harper has been messing with his swing all season, if not the last two or three years. In the midst of his struggles, Long breaks it down to basics and works with him to go the other way. Harper got three hits that night IIRC.  Now we're finding out that Harper's resurgence is due to not trying to hit 50+ homers, but make good contact and go the other way.

[bluestreak]

I remember reading an article that he just basically picked up a guitar one day and taught himself overnight how to play. So maybe not book smart but he seems to have some other talents.

The Dude graduated from Rice. I’m sure he has some Book Smarts too.

[Natsinpwc]

The offense sucks when Harper is off, does the offense necessarily thrive when Rendon is on or tank when he is off?

They are not the only two in the lineup.

So you don’t believe in WAR?

[Natsinpwc]

The Dude graduated from Rice. I’m sure he has some Book Smarts too.

Yes. Just because he is not glib doesn’t mean he is dumb. Please tell BIL that.

[HalfSmokes]

They are not the only two in the lineup.

So you don’t believe in WAR?

You’re the one implying that the offense can rise or fall with Harper

The Nats offense has been off this year and Harper is a major reason. You are mistaking HRs and RBIs for actual value. 

I’m just asking why Rendon can’t carry them too if he’s just as valuable

[Baseball is Life]

Yes. Just because he is not glib doesn’t mean he is dumb. Please tell BIL that.

Hey, I'm right here. I never met the dude so I can only judge him on how formulates and articulates his ideas and I'm not seeing much there. I'm sure he got a great education at Rice and plays the guitar extremely well, but that's just my somewhat superficial impression of him.

[Natsinpwc]

Hey, I'm right here. I never met the dude so I can only judge him on how formulates and articulates his ideas and I'm not seeing much there. I'm sure he got a great education at Rice and plays the guitar extremely well, but that's just my somewhat superficial impression of him.

My superficial impression is that Harper is a total dick. However he might be a nice guy.

[Natsinpwc]

You’re the one implying that the offense can rise or fall with Harper

I’m just asking why Rendon can’t carry them too if he’s just as valuable

One cannot carry the team.

I didn’t say Harper was the only one who failed this year. As noted they missed Zimmerman and Murphy especially. One hole in the lineup can make a huge difference. Especially when it’s your three or four hitter.

[Baseball is Life]

My superficial impression is that Harper is a total dick. However he might be a nice guy.

I can see that. He can come off as cocky, and given the natural predisposition that many fans have against hyped, rich, kind of suave, talented players, it's easy to see why he comes off as the villain to other other teams' fans.

[DPMOmaha]

Doesn't mean it doesn't work. Sorry, but Rosenthal confirms it. Harper has been messing with his swing all season, if not the last two or three years. In the midst of his struggles, Long breaks it down to basics and works with him to go the other way. Harper got three hits that night IIRC.  Now we're finding out that Harper's resurgence is due to not trying to hit 50+ homers, but make good contact and go the other way.

I don't think this is groundbreaking. I think Long was willing to let Harper fail so he could come back and say "see, that's not gonna work. Let's try it this way". Sometimes that's what you have to do.

[Elvir Ovcina]

My superficial impression is that Harper is a total dick. However he might be a nice guy.

I met him in person once "in the wild" - i.e., nothing to do with baseball or the Nats.  It was at a Chop't.  He was polite to everyone, and somehow didn't seem to be recognized by anyone but me.  I only spoke to him briefly, but he came off as totally normal.  He'd also parked his car neatly in a legal space. 

[blue911]

I met him in person once "in the wild" - i.e., nothing to do with baseball or the Nats.  It was at a Chop't.  He was polite to everyone, and somehow didn't seem to be recognized by anyone but me.  I only spoke to him briefly, but he came off as totally normal.  He'd also parked his car neatly in a legal space.

I met him at Ted's Bulletin in 2012. I had a nearly identical experience.

[Air Desmond]

BRYCE HARPER IS NOT A CF. STOP PLAYING HIM IN CF.

I’m sick of watching him misread/not get to catchable balls. Need examples? Look no further than the 3rd inning today. Ball drops in front of him. Then he completely gets fooled on a line drive over his head. 3 runs scored because of this. I know a certain CF on this team that makes those plays look routine. Bryce doesn’t have the athleticism or instincts to play the position.

Heck, is Eaton healthy enough to roam CF? He’s looked good running lately.

I’d even start MAT, put Harper in right, and platoon Soto/Eaton.

Defense matters. I won’t even address Murphy. He’s a STATUE at 2b.

[Slateman]

BRYCE HARPER IS NOT A CF. STOP PLAYING HIM IN CF.

I’m sick of watching him misread/not to get to catchable balls. Need examples? Look no further than the 3rd inning today. Ball drops in front of him. Then he completely gets fooled on a line drive over his head. 3 runs scored because of this. I know a certain CF on this team that makes those plays look routine.

Heck, is Eaton healthy enough to roam CF? He’s looked good running lately.

I’d even start MAT, put Harper in right, and platoon Soto/Eaton.

Defense matters. I won’t even address Murphy. He’s a STATUE at 2b.

You said you were done with this team

[trangert418]

BRYCE HARPER IS NOT A CF. STOP PLAYING HIM IN CF.

I’m sick of watching him misread/not to get to catchable balls. Need examples? Look no further than the 3rd inning today. Ball drops in front of him. Then he completely gets fooled on a line drive over his head. 3 runs scored because of this. I know a certain CF on this team that makes those plays look routine.

Heck, is Eaton healthy enough to roam CF? He’s looked good running lately.

I’d even start MAT, put Harper in right, and platoon Soto/Eaton.

Defense matters. I won’t even address Murphy. He’s a STATUE at 2b.

How do you platoon 2 lefties? Coin flip, alternate games, head to head pitcher matchups?

[Air Desmond]

Alternate games. Soto looks like he could use some days off here and there.

[Baseball is Life]

I met him at Ted's Bulletin in 2012. I had a nearly identical experience.

My son met him at restaurant in Clarendon a few years ago and said he was as nice as can be. Even signed a few autographs. I really think the people who know him (most importantly the owners and the front office) really like the guy and will do everything they can to sign him. If someone throws crazy money at him then he's gone but they will try.

[imref]

It seems this week has shown that if we keep Harper, we need to move Adam Eaton, or Juan Soto.  Harper has no business being in CF.

[Slateman]

It seems this week has shown that if we keep Harper, we need to move Adam Eaton, or Juan Soto.  Harper has no business being in CF.

lulz .... you're going to hurt Bryce's feelings.

If we judge by what we've seen and metrics, Bryce has no business in the outfield.

[UMDNats]

Can't believe we didn't sell so that Mark Lerner can make some extra cash on August ticket and merchandise sales. They're going to have a "Bryce Harper Day" where they put him in the ring of honor in September and sell commemorative coins.

[Baseball is Life]

It seems this week has shown that if we keep Harper, we need to move Adam Eaton, or Juan Soto.  Harper has no business being in CF.

Move Soto to 1B. Play Taylor in CF. Eaton in LF and Harper in RF. If any of the outfielders go down, move Soto back out there. If Zim stays healthy, then sit Taylor and play Eaton in CF. This is all for next year, of course.

[UMDNats]

"Move Soto to 1B even though it's a huge blow to his long-term value."

Why is Michael Taylor a guy who gets automatic starts in CF when people make future lineups? He cannot hit. He had one fluke season. He's great defensively but I'm not cool with punting on any consistent offense from CF for good defense. He's a 4th outfielder that can fill in for a while if you need him to.

Next year, Eaton in LF, Robles/Taylor in CF (until Robles takes over full-time), Soto in RF. Easy.

[NJ Ave]

Why not move Harper to 1B and let the guy who still might learn how to play OF stay there?

[Ray D]

First base would get real crowded if you put everyone there who can't play any other position.   I should say "more crowded", I suppose.