25
2012
Bryce Harper Headlines MLB’s Top 10 Outfield Prospects
An article by 72MetsFan
MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo completed his final installment of his Top 10 prospects at each position and ranks the game’s top outfield prospects.
1. Bryce Harper, Nationals: Harper might play all of the 2012 season at age 19, but it would be a mistake to think that’s a reason he won’t be in Washington this year. All signs point to him getting every chance to make the Opening Day roster, and why not? Harper has already shown an ability to make adjustments. He started out slowly after his double-jump to Double-A last summer, but was just heating up when he got shut down by a minor hamstring injury. No matter, Harper simply went to the Arizona Fall League and raked there. His plus power shows up in games consistently, and he didn’t strike out quite as much as some thought he would. Harper gets on base, is an aggressive baserunner and is improving in the outfield, where his plus arm works very well. He could be ready to take the nation’s capital by storm on Opening Day.
In 100 games between Single-A and Double-A, Harper batted .297/.392/.501 with 17 home runs, 58 RBI, 63 runs scored and 26 stolen bases. A smashing pro debut to say the least.
Bryce Harper is being compared by many to NBA star LeBron James in terms of the impact he is going to have on the game. Like James, Harper was already well known by many savvy baseball fans long before the Washington Nationals made him the number one pick in the country, in fact at the ripe old age of 16, he already had his own cover on Sports Illustrated.
The urban legends surrounding Harper also include that he once hit a 570 foot home run, and another time during an amateur home-run derby at Tropicana Field, he crushed a 502 foot shot that is still the longest home run in the history of the ballpark.
Harper unseated last year’s top ranked outfield prospect Mike Trout who finished second this year. An extremely highly touted prospect himself, Trout has already gotten a cup of coffee in the majors, but still qualifies as a rookie and is the overwhelming favorite to win the Rookie of the Year Award in 2012.
So, let me give you something to ponder. If you had your choice of either of these diamonds in the rough, which one would you choose?
About the Author: Drew Staley
On June 1, 2012 Johan Santana officially became my favorite current Met! I'm a Queens native who grew up in the shadows of Big Shea. I was a huge Ron Darling, Dave Magadan and John Olerud fan. Honored to be a part of such a great site for Mets fans. Ya Gotta Believe!
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 28 | .600 | - |
| Nationals | 34 | 35 | .493 | 7.5 |
| Phillies | 34 | 37 | .479 | 8.5 |
| Mets | 25 | 40 | .385 | 14.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 47 | .319 | 19.5 |
Last updated: 06/18/2013
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Harper is quickly getting a bad rep for being an obnoxious arrogant punk. I’ll take Trout over him anyday.
Close call, but I’d go with Trout. He’s a center fielder and hasn’t displayed some of the attitude Harper has.
Harper is going to be a beast!
If reports about Harper’s attitude are true, I’d have to go with Trout. Although I know Harper’s power is projected to have more power – predicting 40 HR guy.
Talented or not, if Harper doesn’t grow up fairly quickly it’s definitely going to affect his career.
Reading this list how can you go wrong with a name like Bubba Starling? Great name for a ballplayer.
Neuwenheis? Maybe the injury kept him off the list? He’s a pretty good prospect.
I live in Harrisburg and have seen plenty of Bryce Harper.
1. Don’t believe the hype on his “attitude”. The kid plays the game hard and rubs many people the wrong way because they feel he’s too young to be trying to show people up. He is young, and he plays hard because he loves baseball. I remember the same day I read the SI article on his blowing a kiss to a pitcher (who threw at his head previously, and who was throwing at the rest of his teammates), I saw Justin Upton cuss out a pitcher who threw one pitch inside and as he trotted after hitting a home run on the next pitch. I also saw Jered Weaver cuss out a hitter he was facing…that same day. And here I’m supposed to be angry because an 18 year old doesn’t cuss out a pitcher who was throwing at his teammates and barking at them the whole day…for blowing a kiss. His reasoning sums it all up for me…”I thought it was funny and a better example for younger kids than me cussing people out”. That sums it up, he’s young, but he’s not a punk. And like I said…I’ll take Harper’s reaction over othe rolde brig leaguers any day.
2. Believe the hype on his talent. I get that Trout is a sabermetrician’s dream, and I like his upside…but I love Harper’s. Look at Trout’s numbers this past year at age 19 in the MLB, and ask yourself if Harper’s floor this year…won’t destroy those numbers when he’s in the majors at age 19 this year.
3. The only thing I don’t like about Harper is him not being a Met.