Here is the young Phenom hitting his very first HR in Triple A
Smooth swing
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arm bar?
Standing room only?
Harper gets the call
He take the field today for his first MLB appearance. Anyone see him play in Syracuse this spring?
I saw him play last yr. I was most impressed with his cannon arm and the way he plays the game.
Looks like the beginning has begun...
Harper 1-3. Strasburg 7.0 IP, 9 K
Dodgers win 4-3 (10)
Harper 1-3. Strasburg 7.0 IP, 9 K
Dodgers win 4-3 (10)
I like the really like Harper's skills, hustle and the way he has handled himself so far this year. He had a serious 'tude issue last year. Possibly the Nats "handling" and veteran influence at Spring training is paying off for both the Nats and Harper.
Nats closer blew the game last night plain and simple. Harper did his job. If others had done their jobs, the Nats would have a "W" for their efforts. Stasburg amazes me. Once the guys learns how to pitch out of the strike zone when he is ahead, he will be fantastic.
Nats are exciting to watch. I've NOT renewed my MLB package to watch the Red Sox this year.....boring, expensive and I'm still ****ed at Red Sox management for firing Terry Francona. I'm still seething thinking about it, and I should be past it in about 5 years. I'll say it again, the Nats are exciting, young and their is a buzz in Wash DC and surrounding areas.
Nats closer blew the game last night plain and simple. Harper did his job. If others had done their jobs, the Nats would have a "W" for their efforts. Stasburg amazes me. Once the guys learns how to pitch out of the strike zone when he is ahead, he will be fantastic.
Nats are exciting to watch. I've NOT renewed my MLB package to watch the Red Sox this year.....boring, expensive and I'm still ****ed at Red Sox management for firing Terry Francona. I'm still seething thinking about it, and I should be past it in about 5 years. I'll say it again, the Nats are exciting, young and their is a buzz in Wash DC and surrounding areas.
I saw his throw to home yesterday and it is probably one of the most impressive throws I have seen in a long time.
He is more than ready, the Nats are an exciting team to watch, there aren't too many out there, IMO.
He is more than ready, the Nats are an exciting team to watch, there aren't too many out there, IMO.
quote:I saw his throw to home yesterday and it is probably one of the most impressive throws I have seen in a long time.
I think probably about the only one to compare that throw to would be the guy in centerfield next to him.. Ankiel has a cannon for an arm and loves to show it! He had a throw make the highlight reel a week or two ago..
After watching him play I felt like I watched the first game in the career of Pete Rose. The passion and confidence with which he plays the game no matter his age, is something but at 19 is incredible. He is baseball obsessed.
It will be fascinating to watch him develop and how he channels that obsession and if he can keep it within the lines.
It will be fascinating to watch him develop and how he channels that obsession and if he can keep it within the lines.
I stayed up fighting sleep to see the last 3 innings. Im glad I did.
It's just amazing that a closer coming in throwing 101mph can't finish a game. He only threw strikes MAYBE 50% of the pitches.
Yes....101mph. It's crazy.
It's just amazing that a closer coming in throwing 101mph can't finish a game. He only threw strikes MAYBE 50% of the pitches.
Yes....101mph. It's crazy.
quote:Once the guys learns how to pitch out of the strike zone when he is ahead, he will be fantastic.
fenwaysouth,
I think you mean... Even more fantastic!
I suppose there is always room to get better and he did have surgery... He is already fantastic. The key for Strasburg is to keep his pitch counts down. I know what you mean by pitching out of the strike zone, but that usually tends to increase pitch counts. With the stuff he has he needs to pound the strike zone and get a few more outs earlier in the count if possible. IMO
Problem is his stuff is so good, not many make contact early in the count. This can be a blessing and a curse. Lots of foul balls and swing and misses off of him. Every pitcher gets a bit easier to square up after hitters see a lot of pitches and that pitch count keeps adding up.
Anyway, his stats are mind boggling.
In his first MLB 124 innings pitched he has given up 93 hits, struck out 150 while walking 25 and a 2.18 ERA. This all being interupted by surgery. Also it seems like he gives up much more hits than normal on bloopers and infield hits (another testament to his stuff). And he hasn't given up a Home Run in a long time.
I actually think he is trying to get more contact early in the count and keep the count down.
No matter what happens, Bryce Harper is going to be very interesting to follow.
I don't know if the Nats will get it done this year, but the last few drafts have been amazing for them. They are loaded with great young prospects, both MLB and minors. In a few years, maybe less, they could be the best team in baseball IMO.
For Washington's sake I hope they all stay in DC!
PG Staff said...
You are absolutely correct sir!
quote:fenwaysouth,
I think you mean... Even more fantastic!
You are absolutely correct sir!
The pitcher didn't blow the game. The pitch was well out of the zone low a great hitter did what nearly no one else could. Pete Rose first game..Really? I just hope announcers don't fall all over themselves swooning over Harper every time he's on. It gets really hard to watch sports when it's Jordan Jordan Jordan or Manning Manning Manning
quote:Originally posted by seattlestars16:
Pete Rose first game..Really? I just hope announcers don't fall all over themselves swooning over Harper every time he's on. It gets really hard to watch sports when it's Jordan Jordan Jordan or Manning Manning Manning
You are kidding, have you seen Harper? He's 19, most here wish their sons could do at 24-25 what he can do at that age.
The same goes for Strasburg, PG got it, his stuff is so awesome it's amazing.
Reminds me of how I felt about Lebron, I never realized what a phenomenal player he was until I starting watching him regularly. I know a lot of people don't care for him, but not too athletes out there like him.
JMO
not kidding. I dont like him or dilike him. i dont know him. the talent is amazing no doubt. I saw griffey play a minor league game in Bellingham when i was in college at WWU before the media does what is does today. No draft on tv. endless blogs. countless sports channels going 24 hours a day. internet sites. The news gave it 30 seconds at the time and a blurb in the sports page that ken senior had a kid who was drafted 1 by the mariners. we went to watch. it was amazing. Im just saying lets not declare him rose or griffey or arod just yet. my point isnt about him but rather the media
I was one of those critical of Mr. Harper's behavior in the past. I have heard from friends that the chats the Nats have had with him seemed to have gotten through. Reportedly, he has become more accepting of the "us" rather than always concentrating on the "me." He also seems to be less demanding of treatment due to one of his status. All this is great news. Hopefully it will be his talent that makes all the headlines in the future. I hope he becomes a star.
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Well said.
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Well said.
.
We don't know if Harper will go eight for his next twenty or zero for his next twenty. We don't know if he'll be on the all-star team or back in the minors mid July.quote:Originally posted by seattlestars16:
not kidding. I dont like him or dilike him. i dont know him. the talent is amazing no doubt. I saw griffey play a minor league game in Bellingham when i was in college at WWU before the media does what is does today. No draft on tv. endless blogs. countless sports channels going 24 hours a day. internet sites. The news gave it 30 seconds at the time and a blurb in the sports page that ken senior had a kid who was drafted 1 by the mariners. we went to watch. it was amazing. Im just saying lets not declare him rose or griffey or arod just yet. my point isnt about him but rather the media
But the coverage is warranted. How many kids leave high school to play college ball, star in college ball when he should be in high school and take the field in a MLB park at nineteen?
That said before Harper came David Clyde, Todd Marinovich, Sebastian Telfair and Bobby Carpenter all SI cover boys in high school. I chose one from each of the four sports. Didn't most of us know about Robert Stock by 14U? He's pitching A ball at twenty-three. Anyone familar with basketball knew about OJ Mayo by 14U. Mayo was recently offered in a trade along with a first draft choice for a thirty-five year old shooting guard.
There aren't any guarantees. Just enjoy the ride.
Jimmy is his new attitude why he flipped off his helmet rounding 1st base Saturday?
He's fixing to get a FB right between the numbers. If he doesn't wise up he'll end up like Kenny Powers, a bench player on the Myrtle Beach Mermen.
He's fixing to get a FB right between the numbers. If he doesn't wise up he'll end up like Kenny Powers, a bench player on the Myrtle Beach Mermen.
Could it be that the helmet was falling in his eyes while he was running?
If Harper hit .270-15-75 for the next three years there will be people ripping him with the "I told you so's." Yet he would go into the next spring twenty-two years old still having tremendous upside. The Harper story is one that may take several years to unfold.
quote:Originally posted by njbb:
Could it be that the helmet was falling in his eyes while he was running?
Take a look at the replay. He flipped it with his right hand...so you could get a better look at the next big thing.
Dad04,
It seems like you may be one of his so-called "haters"...
It seems like you may be one of his so-called "haters"...
I think the hype is absolutely warranted. The progression he's made already in his baseball career is astounding, and if anything else deserves sheer curiosity for onlookers that want to see what this kid really has.
I do think it is very much too early to come to conclusions about how good he is or how good he will be. It's obvious he's incredibly talented- probably more talented than anyone else his age since A-Rod and Griffey came up. But, as noted by RJM, there have been many that were equally as unsuccessful after excelling at such a young age.
I also believe the scrutiny is warranted as well. A player in the limelight such as Harper (who most certainly doesn't try to hide from that image) needs to better understand the consequences of his actions. Many times this comes from public perception- much like the difference in opinions seen on these boards.
On a separate note I've seen Harper play twice, and I watched him take batting practice as I was standing in left field with the opposing team each time. I have never in my entire life heard a ball sound like that off a wood bat from any player anywhere. That includes Major Leaguers.
I do think it is very much too early to come to conclusions about how good he is or how good he will be. It's obvious he's incredibly talented- probably more talented than anyone else his age since A-Rod and Griffey came up. But, as noted by RJM, there have been many that were equally as unsuccessful after excelling at such a young age.
I also believe the scrutiny is warranted as well. A player in the limelight such as Harper (who most certainly doesn't try to hide from that image) needs to better understand the consequences of his actions. Many times this comes from public perception- much like the difference in opinions seen on these boards.
On a separate note I've seen Harper play twice, and I watched him take batting practice as I was standing in left field with the opposing team each time. I have never in my entire life heard a ball sound like that off a wood bat from any player anywhere. That includes Major Leaguers.
I respect players that go about their business without grandstanding in THEIR FIRST FREAKING MLB GAME EVER.
I don't care for self-entitled "look-at-me" players. If that makes me a hater, then so be it. He's a phenomenal talent, obviously. Hopefully, he learned from that mistake. I was hoping he had grown up since I saw him blow kisses to a pitcher, while HR jogging in high A.
Here is the replay. The helmet comes off at 2:04. I certainly understand great players have (and need) swagger, but holy moly. He takes swag to a new level.
A few people in baseball appear to have similar inklings. Being a jerk in baseball has been one of the fastest ways out of baseball. There are numerous examples. All that being said, I would not have wanted to live next door to Ruth or Cobb either.
I don't care for self-entitled "look-at-me" players. If that makes me a hater, then so be it. He's a phenomenal talent, obviously. Hopefully, he learned from that mistake. I was hoping he had grown up since I saw him blow kisses to a pitcher, while HR jogging in high A.
Here is the replay. The helmet comes off at 2:04. I certainly understand great players have (and need) swagger, but holy moly. He takes swag to a new level.
A few people in baseball appear to have similar inklings. Being a jerk in baseball has been one of the fastest ways out of baseball. There are numerous examples. All that being said, I would not have wanted to live next door to Ruth or Cobb either.
quote:Dad04,
It seems like you may be one of his so-called "haters"...
He's been in MLB for all of 5 days and I'm already tired of him. He has the raw talent to do a lot of things and he's put together that talent to be a heck of a ballplayer. But his attitude needs fixing before he gets a teammate hurt.
I think the helmet was falling off backwards and he just pushed it off.
Didn't look cocky at all
I've heard from team mates he pretty normal.
Didn't look cocky at all
I've heard from team mates he pretty normal.
Dad04 and Bulldog,
Harper is hardly the first guy who's thrown off his helmet but if you are going to be haters, please bust his balls for the bad hair cut.
Harper is hardly the first guy who's thrown off his helmet but if you are going to be haters, please bust his balls for the bad hair cut.
quote:Harper is hardly the first guy who's thrown off his helmet but if you are going to be haters, please bust his balls for the bad hair cut.
Well I think he got rid of the helmet to show off the awful haircut..
At this rate, Harper may be bringing the mullett back.
I think its a mohawk
Maybe the mullet and the helmet toss are part of some rookie initiation process? 
It could be worse.
Much worse.
It could be worse.
Much worse.
The Nats need to do an early season hazing and break out the butterfly back-packs and french maid outfits.
He had a pretty nice game tonight, to say the least. Mashing doubles, including a bottom of the 9th double to get a game winning rally going, and knocking the ball out of the catcher's mitt on a run scoring slide.
Remember, this guy won the Golden Spikes Award as a junior college frosh, when he should have been a junior in HS.
Remember, this guy won the Golden Spikes Award as a junior college frosh, when he should have been a junior in HS.