I didn’t suspect I’d be writing about the young phenom again this season–not until he was called up. I believe we might possibly see him sometime after the break, late in the season–depending on where Washington sits in the NL East standings, and depending on whether Harper continues to do what you’ll see him do in the video below. When a dude does as he did yesterday, you can’t let it slide. Well, maybe you could–I can’t.
I’m in admiration of the talent that Bryce Harper has, and the fact that he has worked very hard to refine it. Unfortunately, with an 18 year old potential baseball great, you’re going to get the occasional slice of arrogance.
I’d be very interested to hear the take of some teammates, but we’ll have to wait for him to be called up to get into that daily loop.
His arrogance, or perhaps his boastful confidence, is part of what makes young players so good. It’s unbelievably intimidating to their peers. As they mature, and learn to approach competition with a gracious confidence, they can become truly great.
Bryce Harper blasted a solo shot off some cat yesterday in High A ball, and after watching it leave the yard, as if he was a future Hall of Famer, he trotted around the bases. He touched third, then offered a little phantom kiss in the direction of the pitcher. As he crossed home, it was clear the two were jawing a bit.
Offering some benefit of a doubt, it seems that there was a little funk between the two of these before this at-bat. Perhaps an interview of one about the other? Whatever the case, I’m curious. Is this an isolated incident, or is this a swollen sense of entitlement that we’ll see from Harper at every level, once he finds himself comfortable in his surroundings. I’m hopeful that it’s just one of those things that an 18 year old does, because he doesn’t quite “get it.” Let’s be honest, he would have just graduated high school this spring, had he stayed to finish with his classmates.
I think the kid has to be smart enough to realize that such behavior won’t be tolerated at even AA or AAA–certainly not in the Bigs. Sure, if the pitcher was mouthing off beforehand, it’s somewhat funny, but for Harper, it would be better if he just stepped into the box and kissed another one with his bat.
