Did Bryce Harper live up to the hype?

Slateman · Joined: 13 Nov 2006 Posts: 4612

So maybe the most watched prospect call up in all of baseball. Seems to be quite polarizing as well.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=11579&position=OF

.270/.340/.477 with 22 home runs (2nd most ever for a 19 year old). Got off to a terrific start, had a horrid two month slump after his 0-7 performance against the Yankees. Finally got hot again in August (more on that)

Was a defensive engima. Sometimes, he lost a ball in the lights. Or the sun monster. Other times, he would chase down balls and throw lasers from centerfield to the plate. Interesting enough, he finished third amongst NL outfielders in DRS.

On the basepaths .... he was fun. Stole home after getting plunked by Cole Hamels. Hustled .... hustled like no one since Pete Rose. Always looking to stretch a single in to a double. Anything that hit the wall and he was thinking triple all the way. Stole 18 bases .... but got caught 6 times. Got picked off at least twice that I can remember. But, by and large, he was a blast to watch.

And then there is Bryce Harper since August 29th. When the "games mattered the most," Bryce Harper was the best hitter in baseball. He OPS'd 1.108 (Aug 29 to Oct 1) Not Trout. Not Miggy. Not Hamilton. Not Braun. 19 year old Bryce Harper was crushing everything.

flyguy1609 · Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 2010 Location: New Jersey

i think he did, there was so much pressure on him and i thought he did a great job

hrubes20 · Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 8637

Pretty hard to not be impressed with what the teenager showed. I look forward to seeing what he can do next year.
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sp6488 · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 6230 Location: MD

A little early to be asking this question in past tense, but I think I see what you're asking. I'd say yes, in that there is no way you can possibly be disappointed with his season no matter how high your expectations were. That's not to say he wasn't incredible for a 19 year old kid in the bigs, just that some expectations were ludicrous. Definitely worth #1 overall status as a draft pick, prospect, etc. Future perennial all star and mvp candidate. Worked out well that he's in NL while Trout (and Manny Cool

) is AL.
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green24 · Joined: 10 Apr 2010 Posts: 26583 Location: #GenoSith

One of the greatest seasons by a teenager in a long time.
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AP_allday2869 · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 12:01 pm Post subject:

For me, for him to live up to the hype he would have had to have the season Mike Trout had. But, the hype wasn't fault. Harper had an amazing season for a 19 year old, and looks like he will eventually live up to the hype sooner rather than later.
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BaltimoreTerp · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 12:03 pm Post subject:

That's a clown question, bro.
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ninjapirate · Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Posts: 28414 Location: Vegas

He's no Mike Trout.
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StRawz11 · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 3415 Location: Not in Pittsburgh

hrubes20 · Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 8637

It's night and day between Harper as a 19 year old in the bigs and Trout as a 19 year old in the bigs. People forget how horribly underwhelming Trout was in his 40 game tryout last season.
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PatsPwn · Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 5604

Per WAR, he had the best season ever for a teenage position player. I'd say he lived up to the hype in year one.
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RuskieTitan · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 2:05 pm Post subject:

I do believe he has done so.
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hawkman98272 · Joined: 02 Jan 2009 Posts: 17423

I'm more surprised that his defense in CF has been better than the corners.

Very good season from Harper, I'd take that season from a 10 year vet, let alone a 19 year old rookie. Can't wait to see next year.
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dante9876 · Joined: 23 Dec 2008 Posts: 17542

DirtyDez · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 2:42 pm Post subject:

Yes! There's only a few guys I'd take over him for the next decade.
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