Bryce Harper MLB Debut Tomorrow

[Ironman92]

We'll see how good the phenom will be.

[jwmann2]

I hate seeing guys rushed to the Big Leagues this way. Not to say he won't be able to hang with the competition. But used to, you had to earn it time and time again on each level. Look out for the Nationals, they mean business in 2012.

[Ironman92]

No one knows....worked for Arod, Jr, Pudge, Sheffield, Gooden, Ruben Sierra, Juan Gonzalez, Andruw Jones and others.....all while Edgar Martinez and Wade Boggs were stuck in the minors until their mid 20's tearing it up. Edgar was hitting .350 in the minors back when the Mariners were awful in the late 80's....never called him up.

Sure many have struggled....but get this kid up to see what he's got. He's been the best player his age since he was 12....he'll be fine.

[Krawhitham]

Álex Rodríguez spent 2 years in AAA but batted .341
Iván Rodríguez spent 2 1/2 years in the minors but was hitting .274 when called up
Gary Sheffield 3 years in minors hitting .320 in AAA
Rubén Sierra 3 1/2 in minors hit .296 in AAA
Juan González 5 years in minors hit .258 in in year #5 but with 29 HR and 101 RBI
Andruw Jones 3 years in minors hit .339 in year #3

Bryce Harper .250 in AAA this season 1 HR & 3 RBI PLUS .256 in AA last season with 3HR & 12 RBI


Edgar Martinez was blocked by Jim Presley at 3rd base, Edgar showed little power in the minors. HR every 50 AB, and he was a horrible defender. While Presley had more power and was a much better fielder

[Ironman92]

Edgar Martinez showed no power in the minors.

HR...ok but his career minor league slug% was over .570 and career OPS over 1.000. The Mariners sucked and Jim Pressley....was ok for some years...but what about DH? Maybe Edgar could've been a decent DH.

[Ironman92]

Pudge never played triple A and was called up without proving himself at every level.

[Ironman92]

Those guys were all ready but did not prove themselves at every level....but everyone KNEW they would be fine....as will Harper.

How old was Juan Gone when he played in the minors? He was hitting HR for the Rangers at age 19.

[Ironman92]

Also....some of the thing here is this Harper's first call up.....guys like Sierra and Juan Gone were called up for short times and then played in the minors later on.

Oh well.....thanks for the stats! Will be fun to watch.

[Ironman92]

3rd at bat he hit an upper letter 92 mph fastball on a line that hit the bottom of the CF fence before Matt Kemp could get about 3 steps in.

It had Wily Mo line drive to it. Bat speed is scary.

[Wonderful Monds]

Kid's got talent. Hopefully he grows up quickly so he can have something between the ears too.

Otherwise I see him turning into a super talented but still unpopular player. Like A-Rod, but somehow more villainous.

[joshua]

Sick of hearing about this kid already. The Tim Tebow of baseball.

[Ironman92]

Bottom of the 7th with a 1-0 lead Harper fields a single to LF and threw a laser strike to home right into Wilson Ramos' glove.....Ramos swiped runner and ball fell out of his glove. It wasn't Rick Ankiel but it was at least Jay Bruce. Ramos screwed up the highlight.

[Ironman92]

GW RBI by Harper unless Nats blow the 2 run lead in the 9th.

[Norm Chortleton]

Sick of hearing about this kid already. The Tim Tebow of baseball.

Except that Harper is an actual talent.

You'd be happy if Toothpick were the Nat manager. He'd keep playing Xavier Nady and his .140 average because "he has a family to feed" and Harper needs a few years to get ready.

[Ironman92]

Except that Harper is an actual talent.

You'd be happy if Toothpick were the Nat manager. He'd keep playing Xavier Nady and his .140 average because "he has a family to feed" and Harper needs a few years to get ready.

Lol

[Ironman92]

In just watching this game the kid appears to act, play and look like Jonny Gomes but talent STRONGLY resembles Josh Hamilton.

[Ironman92]

Henry Rodriguez blows save with multiple 100 mph fastballs in the dirt

Game tied 3-3....game would've been over twice....one more worm-burner and Nats lose.

[Ironman92]

Great game to watch.

[Ironman92]

2 outs Tony Gwynn Jr destroys a ball right at Adam LaRoche

Going extras.

[lidspinner]

I love bringing up young talent to see how they'd handle MLB style ball... These adults are paid very well and they don't need to be mentally coddled....if they have the talent then lets see it....

[Ironman92]

I love bringing up young talent to see how they'd handle MLB style ball... These adults are paid very well and they don't need to be mentally coddled....if they have the talent then lets see it....

And if they fail at first and get sent back down and can never recover....they never would've had the mental makeup anyways.

[Ironman92]

I'd buy a ticket to watch Strasburg and Ankiel play long toss.

[Ironman92]

And Matt Kemp hits a 440 foot walk-off HR to dead center.

Best game I've watched all year.....good stuff!

[lidspinner]

And if they fail at first and get sent back down and can never recover....they never would've had the mental makeup anyways.

Exactly....you either have the mentality to play in the bigs or you don't....talent is something your born with, so is mental make up....you either got it or not and if these adults can play with big league talent then I don't care, I want to see the hustle that Bryce showed running out that ground ball to the pitcher as opposed to a vet just jogging.....I want to see the hustle of Mike Carp trying to dive for a ball that most LFers would have jogged to cut off, still a double but carp hustled....I love watching the younger players play ball. They seem to want it more than the guy who already has it....

[Ironman92]

Carp? Lol

Don't you mean Mike Minnow

[lidspinner]

Carp? Lol

Don't you mean Mike Minnow

hahahaha...I didnt even catch that at first...what am I smoking? There is nothing better in this world to eat than a fresh Trout from the streams on a cedar plank with wild rice and asparagus....you would have thought I would at least be able to get the name right with a palate that craves trout.

[bmwreds31]

Considering his AAA stats this year. I doubt he's ever the LEGEND they are projecting him to be. My guess is a AVG type MLB player.

[Jamz]

Considering his AAA stats this year. I doubt he's ever the LEGEND they are projecting him to be. My guess is a AVG type MLB player.

You should probably take his age into account.

[bmwreds31]

You should probably take his age into account.

I am, however you should take into consideration the question at hand. People are painting this kid to be a MIRACLE talent. A phenom, And a Freak.

His AAA stats showed nothing of the sort.

Compare his AAA stats with say Paul Janish right now. And good ol PJ blows him out of the water. Thats either pretty bad or the reds are dumb for not having Janish up right now. Its prolly a bit of both. lol

[swaisuc]

How would you compare his playing style to Brett Lawrie, another kid with tremendous talent known for playing all-out?

[bmwreds31]

I thought him throwing off his helmet on the way to 2nd on his 1st double was kind of lame and cheesy. :laugh:

[Ironman92]

Only big league stats matter now....early on he's ready for about everything that has come his way.

[dubc47834]

Did you see the throw he made last nite from LF. Fairly deep ball to left and he throws it on a line with no hop to the catcher and darn near throws the tagging runner out. Amazing throw. I have watched all 3 games so far and the kid looks to be the real deal. Does he have some learning to do, certainly, but the kid definately has the talent to be great. It's just a matter of does he want to be great or just earn a paycheck.

[Krawhitham]

Only big league stats matter now....early on he's ready for about everything that has come his way.

2 for 9

[dubc47834]

2 for 9

You can make stats thru 3 games look any way you want. you can look at it as he is 2-9 and is struggling, or you can look at it as he has a hit in 2 outa 3 games. I have watched all 3 games and he has looked pretty good at the plate, looks like he belongs. I would take him as our everyday LF RIGHT NOW, no questions asked.

[bmwreds31]

I would take him as our everyday LF RIGHT NOW, no questions asked.

Well considering how our LF's are playing right now. I wouldnt mind maybe platooning him out there but certainly not a everyday starter.

And Once again this thread is about is the kid going to live up to the hype. Or just be a decent player.

[R_Webb18]

um he could start for me anyday over ludwick

[dubc47834]

Well considering how our LF's are playing right now. I wouldnt mind maybe platooning him out there but certainly not a everyday starter.

And Once again this thread is about is the kid going to live up to the hype. Or just be a decent player.

LOL, platooning a 19 year old kid who has the potential to be an all-time great with a Luddy or Hiesey is absurd. I, along with many on here, would probly start the kid most of the time. Now if he was struggling thats another story. The kid has looked like he belongs in the Show.

BTW, I know what the thread is about, I can read. It has evolved...who cares. :mooner:

[redsfanmia]

You can make stats thru 3 games look any way you want. you can look at it as he is 2-9 and is struggling, or you can look at it as he has a hit in 2 outa 3 games. I have watched all 3 games and he has looked pretty good at the plate, looks like he belongs. I would take him as our everyday LF RIGHT NOW, no questions asked.

Do you think a package of Stubbs and Leake get him?

[texasdave]

Bryce Harper is probably as close to untouchable as it gets.

[redsfanmia]

Bryce Harper is probably as close to untouchable as it gets.

I was being stupid lol, I agree the kid is going to be great.

[texasdave]

I was being stupid lol, I agree the kid is going to be great.

:) I was thinking something didn't seem right there.

[Ironman92]

2 for 9

Had a single taken away and sac fly

Has as many career hits at Pete Rose















Jr

[dubc47834]

Do you think a package of Stubbs and Leake get him?

Might have to throw in Votto to....LOL!!!!!

:beerme:

[Ironman92]

3-4 tonight

2 doubles

[Grouse]

3-4 tonight

2 doubles

I think he just shut everyone up. wow.

[Ironman92]

Still no HR.....weak sauce

[dubc47834]

Still no HR.....weak sauce

UUUHHHH....game winning RBI!!!!

[Ironman92]

UUUHHHH....game winning RBI!!!!

UUUUHHHH Sarcasm

[dubc47834]

UUUUHHHH Sarcasm

UUUUUUHHHHHH my bad!!!!!

:beerme::beerme::beerme:

[Ironman92]

Sunday Night Baseball....aka Harpermania. ESPN is all over his every move.

1st at bat Hamels drills him in the kidney with a fastball that doubles him over.....stays in and goes to first. Goes 1st to 3rd easily on Pierre's weak arm. While on 3rd Hamels throws over to hold on the runner at first and Harper picks everyones pocket and steals home.

I've never seen that in MLB.

Good Stuff.

[Ironman92]

This kid plays as hard as anyone I've ever seen.

No way he got a double off of that.....total busting ass out of the box every time all the way until he stops.

I honestly don't know how you can't like him if you love baseball.

[Ironman92]

Full swing jam shot over SS and he busts it from home to 2nd in 7 seconds flat.

[nmculbreth]

This kid plays as hard as anyone I've ever seen.

No way he got a double off of that.....total busting ass out of the box every time all the way until he stops.

I honestly don't know how you can't like him if you love baseball.

Agreed. I can understand why some may be a bit put off by his cockiness, but it's impossible to watch how hard he plays the game and not come away with an appreciation for him as a player. I'd take him on my team any day of the week!

[lidspinner]

Sunday Night Baseball....aka Harpermania. ESPN is all over his every move.

1st at bat Hamels drills him in the kidney with a fastball that doubles him over.....stays in and goes to first. Goes 1st to 3rd easily on Pierre's weak arm. While on 3rd Hamels throws over to hold on the runner at first and Harper picks everyones pocket and steals home.

I've never seen that in MLB.

Good Stuff.

as long as he keeps playing like this as far as hustle and grittiness are concerned, I will force my kids to watch Bryce play everytime he is on TV...young kids need to take notice, this is how you play baseball....Ryan Freel is smiling at Bryce from somewhere...

[Hal McCoy]

Sunday Night Baseball....aka Harpermania. ESPN is all over his every move.

1st at bat Hamels drills him in the kidney with a fastball that doubles him over.....stays in and goes to first. Goes 1st to 3rd easily on Pierre's weak arm. While on 3rd Hamels throws over to hold on the runner at first and Harper picks everyones pocket and steals home.

I've never seen that in MLB.

Good Stuff.

Actually the Reds own Corky Miller did it in 2001.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110822/SPT04/308220099/Corky-Miller-once-lifetime-guy-

[Ironman92]

He's settling in quite well. Tonight in 2 AB he's forced Michael Bourn and Jason Heyward to go after balls to the OF quicker than normal in fear of him showing them up.

Hitting around .350 his last 15 games.

[Ironman92]

Much like Cole Hamels.....Livan Hernandez through a 2 strike pitch that Harper jumped at and fouled back...Hernandez's next pitch was a 63 mph curveball that made Harper look ridiculous....then Livan gave him a "go sit down stare" far better than what Hamels did......

But like Hamels, Hernandez got showed up by the kid as the next AB Harper mashes a no doubter to RCF.

[Ironman92]

2 for 9

34/118

.921 OPS

[Ironman92]

47/153

.944 OPS

[jwmann2]

Off topic but I hope the Reds develop Billy Hamilton a lot more extensively before he gets called up. He needs to be able to do a lot more than just steal bases and be a decent outfielder.

[PumpFak3First]

That's a clown question bro