Bryce Harper 2018 and beyond

[DCFan]

Has Robles shown any evidence that he's more than just a very good defensive outfielder and an average hitter?

What are you dense? He's a rookie with 34 MLB at bats. Is that enough evidence for you? 

[Natsinpwc]

Has Robles shown any evidence that he's more than just a very good defensive outfielder and an average hitter?

Yes. He has hit consistently in the minor leagues. Usually that translates. At least maybe he should have a chance in MLB before you write him off.

[Slateman]

Yes. He has hit consistently in the minor leagues. Usually that translates. At least maybe he should have a chance in MLB before you write him off.

Lol, no, it doesnt.

[Natsinpwc]

Lol, no, it doesnt.

So how many good MLB hitters have been bad minor league hitters?

[Natsinpwc]

Exactly. Slate is hilarious. He counsels patience with a scrub reliever like Williams but is ready to judge a prize prospect like Robles. Anything to be contrarian.

And I’ve made the mistake of taking his bait. Bad on me.

[Slateman]

So how many good MLB hitters have been bad minor league hitters?

That's not the point. Just because you hit well in the minors doesnt mean you'll hit well in the majors.

Maybin was a good hitter in the minors. Didnt translate

[sixthree175]

That's not the point. Just because you hit well in the minors doesnt mean you'll hit well in the majors.

Maybin was a good hitter in the minors. Didnt translate

So far Robles has been a disappointment, but it's too early to judge.  There is NO expectation that Harper will re-sign.  Robles is expected to be the starting center fielder in 2019.  If so, he'll be compared apples to apples with MAT.  The pressure is on him to perform.

[Nick the Pig]

Harper is re-signing.

In what dream world does that happen ?

[Ray D]

What are you dense? :

freak you.

[DCFan]

freak you.

 

[mitlen]

Indeed, concise  ....

[bluestreak]

Harper named NL player of the week.

[Ray D]

Yes. He has hit consistently in the minor leagues. Usually that translates. At least maybe he should have a chance in MLB before you write him off.

I'm not writing him off, just not writing him in.  I just don't see that his offensive production justifies the hype.  And to be clear -- minor league production.  I don't care what he's done (so far) at the major league level.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I'm not writing him off, just not writing him in.  I just don't see that his offensive production justifies the hype.  And to be clear -- minor league production.  I don't care what he's done (so far) at the major league level.

there was a big time article in the Post today. 5 tools!

[KnorrForYourMoney]

So how many good MLB hitters have been bad minor league hitters?

You have the logic completely backwards on this.  The proper question would be how many good minor league hitters have been bad ML hitters?  The answer is: "a lot."

[Natsinpwc]

You have the logic completely backwards on this.  The proper question would be how many good minor league hitters have been bad ML hitters?  The answer is: "a lot."

You missed my point. It’s generally a prerequisite to be a good minor league hitter.

What percentage of top prospects have flamed out? People here are writing Robles off already. It’s just silly. No guarantee he will make it but the odds are good he will be at least a decent MLB player.

[imref]

MLB TR speculates:

As ever, there’s plenty of water-cooler chatter about the eventual destination of Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, who — had you not heard? — is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. Particularly for fans of a Nats organization that is just weeks away from wrapping up a brutally disappointing campaign, it’s a subject of much attention. So eyebrows were raised recently at comments from Harper and, especially, club president of baseball ops/GM Mike Rizzo that could be interpreted as hinting at a reunion. In an appearance on MLB Network (Twitter link), Harper at least acknowledged a reunion is possible, saying that “it’s going to be an exciting future for the Nationals, and we’ll see if I’m in those plans.” Innocuous enough, to be sure, but perhaps the line could be interpreted as a wink toward contract talks. As for Rizzo, Chris Lingebach of 106.7 The Fan rounded things up. Those interested in parsing the words fully should click the link, but the key phrase at issue from Rizzo is his statement that he “won’t discuss [negotiations with Harper’s camp] until there’s something to announce.” Did the tight-lipped, hard-nosed GM tip his hand? It’s at most an arguable point.

[Slateman]

I just don't see how you can compete in the division and keep Harper. Harper would have to basically override Boras and tell the Nationals he wants to stay in DC at basically the same pay scale he is now.

Even then, I don't know how you'd be able to keep Robles and still get the starting pitching, catcher, and middle infield improvements the Nats need

[DCFan]

I just don't see how you can compete in the division and keep Harper. Harper would have to basically override Boras and tell the Nationals he wants to stay in DC at basically the same pay scale he is now.

There won’t be a home town discount. The market will decide where he goes and his love of the Lerners, DC, and his teammates won’t override that.

[DPMOmaha]

I just don't see how you can compete in the division and keep Harper. Harper would have to basically override Boras and tell the Nationals he wants to stay in DC at basically the same pay scale he is now.

Even then, I don't know how you'd be able to keep Robles and still get the starting pitching, catcher, and middle infield improvements the Nats need

You'll be able to in the short term with Rendon, Turner, and two of Robles, Soto and Eaton still relatively cheap plus Max and Stras anchoring the top of that rotation. You'll see someone traded if they keep Harper. They should still be able to add a starter and probably have to get creative at the other spots. Maybe that's where a trade comes in.

[HalfSmokes]

You'll be able to in the short term with Rendon, Turner, and two of Robles, Soto and Eaton still relatively cheap plus Max and Stras anchoring the top of that rotation. You'll see someone traded if they keep Harper. They should still be able to add a starter and probably have to get creative at the other spots. Maybe that's where a trade comes in.

That means you’re depending on stras to stay healthy- I’m not sure that works

[Slateman]

You'll be able to in the short term with Rendon, Turner, and two of Robles, Soto and Eaton still relatively cheap plus Max and Stras anchoring the top of that rotation. You'll see someone traded if they keep Harper. They should still be able to add a starter and probably have to get creative at the other spots. Maybe that's where a trade comes in.

They need at least two starting pitchers and some bullpen help. And a catcher. And maybe someone to play the middle infield.

You aren't going to trade for all that. Taylor doesn't get you any of those without some serious caveats. I don't think Eaton is going to get you a whole lot. I don't see Keiboom being ready to play every day at the MLB level.

[DPMOmaha]

They need at least two starting pitchers and some bullpen help. And a catcher. And maybe someone to play the middle infield.

You aren't going to trade for all that. Taylor doesn't get you any of those without some serious caveats. I don't think Eaton is going to get you a whole lot. I don't see Keiboom being ready to play every day at the MLB level.

You don't have to pay premium for all of it either. I think 4 starters next year are already in the organization in Max, Stras, Roark and Ross. I think they're only gonna add one starter. If they add more, I think it will be in-season.

[UMDNats]

We need at least 2 starters because we have 0 AAA pitching depth. Ross & Strasburg can't be counted on for 30 starts in 2019. Roark is a turd now and should have a tenuous at best grasp on his job.

We need to find a way to get some AAA mid-level pitching prospects, ASAP. As soon as one guy goes down, we're screwed. Fedde is a wildcard. We need like 3 more Feddes.

[Slateman]

You don't have to pay premium for all of it either. I think 4 starters next year are already in the organization in Max, Stras, Roark and Ross. I think they're only gonna add one starter. If they add more, I think it will be in-season.

Uh ... we need to get rid of Roark and replace him too.