Bryce Harper

[BWillie]

This kid is freaking 16 years old. He hit a 570 foot home run. He batted .756 as a high school sophomore. Kids got a gun and can throw 96 mph. Plays catcher or 3B. Fast as hell. I didn't know much about him until I watched this video, but he got his GED so he can play junior college next year and enter the 2010 MLB draft. He's probably going to be in the majors by the time he's 19. Crazy.

The Royals better stop this winning shit and find a way lose out to be worse than that Nats. Harper could tank it, but then again, he could be the savior to any franchise and be the next Arod.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLV8FpFXOMo

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[Warrior5]

Most impressive.

Now, if he can only play RT...

[T-post Tom]

eh...give him a wood bat and see what he does... seriously, these young phenoms often end up less than advertised... just ask the royals about colt griffin.

[MVChiefFan]

eh...give him a wood bat and see what he does... seriously, these young phenoms often end up less than advertised... just ask the royals about colt griffin.

You hit a 570 foot HR with an aluminum bat, that translates to about 490 with wood. That's nasty for anyone, much less a 16 year old.

[Reerun_KC]

You hit a 570 foot HR with an aluminum bat, that translates to about 490 with wood. That's nasty for anyone, much less a 16 year old.

Lets put aluminum bats in the ML's, Might actually make it interesting....

[bevischief]

Most impressive.

Now, if he can only play RT...

Or LB....

[CaliforniaChief]

Lets put aluminum bats in the ML's, Might actually make it interesting....

Or just the Royals. Everyone else stays with wood bats. Then we might finish only 5-6 games under .500.

[Demonpenz]

he's the most can't miss prospect since alex gordon

[58kcfan89]

Or just the Royals. Everyone else stays with wood bats. Then we might finish only 5-6 games under .500.

ROFL

Figures that about a week & a half after I swear off the Royals (until next season), they pull their heads out of their asses & win some damn games.

[Demonpenz]

Dayton moore is looking at this september since we are healthy and seeing that with this bunch we don't need to change much next year

[58kcfan89]

Dayton moore is looking at this september since we are healthy and seeing that with this bunch we don't need to change much next year

Hey, it worked last year, right?

[Rooster]

he's the most can't miss prospect since alex gordon

:banghead::banghead::banghead:

[DaWolf]

Nationals have pretty much wrapped up that pick...

[jaa1025]

Thanks to the Royals recent 'surge' we won't be getting a chance at him...stupid royals can't do anything right.

[Mr. Laz]

Scott Boras

[T-post Tom]

You hit a 570 foot HR with an aluminum bat, that translates to about 490 with wood. That's nasty for anyone, much less a 16 year old.

Well he may end up being the greatest baseball player in the history of mankind (and develop the cure for cancer). And I wish him well. I'm just saying that while he shows amazing potential, I'll hold off annointing him the "LeBron of Baseball" as Sports Illustrated did. I don't need to sell any magazines; so I'll wait until he accomplishs something at the Major League level.

There's been quite a few phenoms that failed at the professional level. Colt Griffin pitched 100+mph in high school. Drafted in 2001. He's retired now after a failed career spent in the minors. Tony Mandarich was called the best offensive line prospect ever by Sports Illustrated (again with those guys) because he could block defenders 20 yards down the field in college. He was cut by the Packers only a few years into his first contract. The list goes on & on.

[MVChiefFan]

Well he may end up being the greatest baseball player in the history of mankind (and develop the cure for cancer). And I wish him well. I'm just saying that while he shows amazing potential, I'll hold off annointing him the "LeBron of Baseball" as Sports Illustrated did. I don't need to sell any magazines; so I'll wait until he accomplishs something at the Major League level.

There's been quite a few phenoms that failed at the professional level. Colt Griffin pitched 100+mph in high school. Drafted in 2001. He's retired now after a failed career spent in the minors. Tony Mandarich was called the best offensive line prospect ever by Sports Illustrated (again with those guys) because he could block defenders 20 yards down the field in college. He was cut by the Packers only a few years into his first contract. The list goes on & on.


There's no doubt, I totally agree. And, with the way the Royals have been, there's no doubt he'll lay a big egg if they drafted him.

[Spicy McHaggis]

Scott Boras

Gotta get paid.



Even so, I wouldn't mind coughing up above market value for the kid. Maybe the Nats will be scared off by the amount of $$$ required.

[Kyle DeLexus]

Gotta get paid.



Even so, I wouldn't mind coughing up above market value for the kid. Maybe the Nats will be scared off by the amount of $$$ required.

$20 million bonus will be his going rate, thats WELL above market. If we finish 2nd to last we still have shot since the Nats just spent a small fortune this year and they went on record saying if they couldn't sign Strasburg they were going to draft him again this next time around. They got the guy they wanted so I doubt they'll cough up $20 mill for a position player.

We just need to finish strong like the middle of our season and Harper is ours.....you know until we don't want to spend that much on him either.

[Demonpenz]

the word is harper isn't quite the player as hyped. Boros has a well oiled hype and pr machine. Right now Boros is hyping him up to be the J.D. Drew

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/06/07/bryce-harper-homered-admired-his-feat-then-blew-a-kiss-to-the-pitcher-video/

Kid is a asshat hitting a hr and then blowing a kiss to pitcher.

[L.A. Chieffan]

the pitcher was probably talking shit about his slow walk out of the box and harper did that just to fuck with him.

doesnt matter if he does that in the pros hell have a fastball in his ear next ab

[Great Expectations]

http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/06/07/bryce-harper-homered-admired-his-feat-then-blew-a-kiss-to-the-pitcher-video/

Kid is a asshat hitting a hr and then blowing a kiss to pitcher.

If that wasn't the last AB of the game for him where is the video of a pitch being thrown into his ear hole?

[L.A. Chieffan]

the stache defintely is awesome tho

[KevB]

The slow walk out of the box was just as bad as the kiss. Expect to see an increasing number of HBP in the box score as he moves up.

[BigCatDaddy]

http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/06/07/bryce-harper-homered-admired-his-feat-then-blew-a-kiss-to-the-pitcher-video/

Kid is a asshat hitting a hr and then blowing a kiss to pitcher.

Brian McRae said this morning there was some build up to that. The pitcher the day before was mouthing him after a strike out or something. I think maybe a few hit batters involved including him, etc.. He just didn't hit a home run and blow a kiss to the guy for the hell of it. He probably took it too far but it was part of an ongoing deal between the 2 teams.

[rageeumr]

Bryce Harper has a Bubba Starling bobblehead on his nightstand at home.

[BWillie]

Haha this even makes me like Bryce Harper even more. He is such an A-hole. Bring him up like Griffey. Get him to the League by Sept. I know it won't happen, but it sure would be cool to see

[eazyb81]

We have our own version of Bryce Harper now.

[keg in kc]

Haha this even makes me like Bryce Harper even more. He is such an A-hole. So a guy being a douche makes you like him more? Weird.

[tk13]

He's making his MLB debut tonight against LA. He has gone 1-3 so far with a double. He also just threw a laser from LF to gun down a runner at home on a basehit, but the catcher dropped it.

[BWillie]

He's only 19 months younger than Wil Myers.

[Jenson71]

Talk about a situation for a debut. Runners on corners, one out, he could be the hero.

[Jenson71]

Sac fly, RBI to give Nats the lead

[tk13]

He just hit a sac fly in the 9th inning to give Washington a 2-1 lead.

[arrowheadnation]

Anybody catch this on his first hit?
<img src=http://i50.tinypic.com/1gofi9.jpg>

[chefsos]

Wow, that's some shitty throws from the OF by LA.

Oh, whoops, this is Harper's thread. That sac fly was smoked.

[The Dawg]

Lets put aluminum bats in the ML's, Might actually make it interesting....

People would die. Not only players but fans sitting in the seats too.

[Jenson71]

Streaker. . .

[Jenson71]

This is a fun game, btw. Tune in, if you can.

[chefsos]

This is a fun game, btw. Tune in, if you can.I'm watching. The Doyers are knocking this guy all over the park... And as I type, he gets the K.

[chefsos]

Well, there goes Harper's GWRBI...

[Jenson71]

Wow. That Rodriguez guy is like former Royals pitcher Mike MacDougle(sp?). Throws high heat, but wild as hell.

[Jenson71]

WTF LMAO

[kcxiv]

Wow. That Rodriguez guy is like former Royals pitcher Mike MacDougle(sp?). Throws high heat, but wild as hell.

MacDougle is with the Dodgers. haha or he was last year, i dont really know the back end of our bullpen lol

[Jenson71]

MacDougle is with the Dodgers. haha or he was last year, i dont really know the back end of our bullpen lol

Shows how much I pay attention to the NL. Did he fix those control issues?

[kcxiv]

Shows how much I pay attention to the NL. Did he fix those control issues?

He's done alright. worth keeping. He didnt piss me off like Broxton or Javy Guerra is right now.

[tk13]

Matt Kemp says hey Bryce, watch this.

[chefsos]

MVP, indeed.

[Jenson71]

Matt Kemp blasts it over center to win it.

[kcxiv]

best player in baseball baby!

[KC_Connection]

Matt Kemp.

[tk13]

Kemp is now at .442, 11 HR, 24 RBI in 21 games. He is slugging .922... that is absurd.

[chefsos]

Kemp is now at .442, 11 HR, 24 RBI in 21 games. He is slugging .922... that is absurd.Holy shit

[KC_Connection]

Kemp is now at .442, 11 HR, 24 RBI in 21 games. He is slugging .922... that is absurd.
He's reminding me of Bautista's ridiculous last spring...except even more locked in and in a tough offensive park to hit in. They've gotta start BB'ing him.

[StanziCityChiefs]

Matt Kemp destroys worlds

[KC_Connection]

I mean, considering the rest of that lineup, why are they even giving him pitches to hit? It's crazy. Needs the Bonds treatment.

[tk13]

Yeah, but it's not all positive. If the guy hits 80 HRs it's going to really hamper his chances to go 40/40 this year. He's hitting too many homers.

[kcxiv]

I mean, considering the rest of that lineup, why are they even giving him pitches to hit? It's crazy. Needs the Bonds treatment.

Because the guy behind him has even more RBI's then Kemp!

ok, they are both tied at 24 rbi's each.

[KC_Connection]

Yeah, but it's not all positive. If the guy hits 80 HRs it's going to really hamper his chances to go 40/40 this year. He's hitting too many homers.
It's funny to think that Kemp would have to keep up this ridiculous pace all year to break Bonds' HR record. That would be unthinkable.

[KC_Connection]

Because the guy behind him has even more RBI's then Kemp!

ok, they are both tied at 24 rbi's each.
Kemp is just on a different level right now...he's hitting anything that's even anywhere near the plate hard and for power. I'll take my chances with somebody else no matter who it is.

[Al Bundy]

The Royals finish with the worst record and we get stuck with Luke fucking Hochevar.

[tk13]

It's funny to think that Kemp would have to keep up this ridiculous pace all year to break Bonds' HR record. That would be unthinkable.

That's the shame of the whole steroid thing. Steroids or not, I'm not sure any athlete in modern times has ever been as locked in as Bonds was that season. Literally almost anything that was in the zone, he hammered it. He literally hit a homer about every other game he played, and still averaged well over a walk per game.

[KC_Connection]

That's the shame of the whole steroid thing. Steroids or not, I'm not sure any athlete in modern times has ever been as locked in as Bonds was that season. Literally almost anything that was in the zone, he hammered it. He literally hit a homer about every other game he played, and still averaged well over a walk per game.
Yeah, it was incredible to watch. Bonds himself may have been that locked in for the three years after that (1.381 OPS, 1.278 OPS, 1.422 OPS) if that counts. The HR totals just weren't as high because he basically stopped getting strikes to hit.

[kcxiv]

That's the shame of the whole steroid thing. Steroids or not, I'm not sure any athlete in modern times has ever been as locked in as Bonds was that season. Literally almost anything that was in the zone, he hammered it. He literally hit a homer about every other game he played, and still averaged well over a walk per game.

lol, yep. i remember when him and Gagne went at it and Gagne lost. Both steriod useers and both had insane records them years. Gagne told him, here is my best fastball , hit it. well bonds did. haha

[Xanathol]

Yeah, it was incredible to watch. Bonds himself may have been that locked in for the three years after that (1.381 OPS, 1.278 OPS, 1.422 OPS) if that counts. The HR totals just weren't as high because he basically stopped getting strikes to hit.

And yet the Babe's numbers are right on his ass with no steroids, arm brace, etc:

Click (http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/onbase_plus_slugging_season.shtml):

Rank Player (age that year) On-Base Plus Slugging Year Bats
1. Barry Bonds (39) 1.4217 2004 L
2. Barry Bonds (37) 1.3807 2002 L
3. Babe Ruth+ (25) 1.3791 1920 L
4. Barry Bonds (36) 1.3785 2001 L
5. Babe Ruth+ (26) 1.3586 1921 L
6. Babe Ruth+ (28) 1.3089 1923 L
7. Ted Williams+ (22) 1.2875 1941 L
8. Barry Bonds (38) 1.2778 2003 L
9. Babe Ruth+ (32) 1.2582 1927 L
10. Ted Williams+ (38) 1.2566 1957 L


edit: adding in career numbers for good measure

Rank Player (yrs, age) On-Base Plus Slugging Bats
1. Babe Ruth+ (22) 1.1636 L
2. Ted Williams+ (19) 1.1155 L
3. Lou Gehrig+ (17) 1.0798 L
4. Barry Bonds (22) 1.0512 L
5. Jimmie Foxx+ (20) 1.0376 R
6. Albert Pujols (12, 32) 1.0318 R
7. Hank Greenberg+ (13) 1.0169 R
8. Rogers Hornsby+ (23) 1.0103 R
9. Manny Ramirez (19, 40) 0.9960 R
10. Mark McGwire (16) 0.9823 R

[Demonpenz]

i hate his swing.

[KC_Connection]

And yet the Babe's numbers are right on his ass with no steroids, arm brace, etc:

Click (http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/onbase_plus_slugging_season.shtml):

Rank Player (age that year) On-Base Plus Slugging Year Bats
1. Barry Bonds (39) 1.4217 2004 L
2. Barry Bonds (37) 1.3807 2002 L
3. Babe Ruth+ (25) 1.3791 1920 L
4. Barry Bonds (36) 1.3785 2001 L
5. Babe Ruth+ (26) 1.3586 1921 L
6. Babe Ruth+ (28) 1.3089 1923 L
7. Ted Williams+ (22) 1.2875 1941 L
8. Barry Bonds (38) 1.2778 2003 L
9. Babe Ruth+ (32) 1.2582 1927 L
10. Ted Williams+ (38) 1.2566 1957 L

It really doesn't make much sense to compare them considering how different the eras were, but Ruth playing in a segregated era seems far more significant than Bonds taking steroids in a steroids-filled league to face pitchers that were also taking steroids.

[Saul Good]

It really doesn't make much sense to compare them considering how different the eras were, but Ruth playing in a segregated era seems far more significant than Bonds taking steroids in a steroids-filled league to face pitchers that were also taking steroids.

Ruth played in a segregated era, but baseball was much more popular then than today, so they got their pick of the best athletes. Also, the ball was dead.

[MIAdragon]

It really doesn't make much sense to compare them considering how different the eras were, but Ruth playing in a segregated era seems far more significant than Bonds taking steroids in a steroids-filled league to face pitchers that were also taking steroids.

You're right Ruth was much more impressive. In the 20 season he hit more home runs that any other TEAM.

[KC_Connection]

You're right Ruth was much more impressive. In the 20 season he hit more home runs that any other TEAM.
Tells you a lot about the competition in the league, no?

I've always found it funny that so many are unwilling to admit Bonds was likely the greatest hitter of all time.

[Jenson71]

Tells you a lot about the competition in the league, no?

I've always found it funny that so many are unwilling to admit Bonds was likely the greatest hitter of all time.

That must be because they know about Ted Williams.

[Demonpenz]

lol the best "athletes" but they are still white.

[Pablo]

lol the best "athletes" but they are still white.I bet they dunked the shit out of the basketball on eight foot rims back then.

[Demonpenz]

shot free throws underhanded

[Pablo]

shot free throws underhandedHarold "Whitey" Clark averaged 3.2 ypc in 1926. He was the Jamaal Charles of his time.

[Sanka]

I've always found it funny that so many are unwilling to admit Bonds was likely the greatest hitter of all time.
Bonds was barely a .300 hitter prior to steroids.

[Demonpenz]

Harold "Whitey" Clark averaged 3.2 ypc in 1926. He was the Jamaal Charles of his time.

hahahahaha big cutback and there he goes to the 45 44 all the way down to the 43. Everyone is holding on to their Bowlers!

[Pablo]

hahahahaha big cutback and there he goes to the 45 44 all the way down to the 43. Everyone is holding on to their Bowlers!
"This Clark kid sure is shifty. Smoothest hips I've seen since Red 'The White Rhino' Goldenstein."

[KC_Connection]

Bonds was barely a .300 hitter prior to steroids.
It's a good thing it's 2012, then, and nobody seriously uses average anymore to evaluate a hitter's value.

[Saul Good]

lol the best "athletes" but they are still white.

It's exactly like black pitchers revolutionized the sport to the degree where outcome ring the rest of baseball combined twice in his career isn't the most dominating stat in history.

[Demonpenz]

It's exactly like black pitchers revolutionized the sport to the degree where outcome ring the rest of baseball combined twice in his career isn't the most dominating stat in history.

Evendently you haven't see Ray Kings ass.

[Demonpenz]

It's exactly like black pitchers revolutionized the sport to the degree where outcome ring the rest of baseball combined twice in his career isn't the most dominating stat in history.

I will give you that point, but also I don't really care, bonds...Ruth can't go wrong with either.

[Al Bundy]

Bonds was barely a .300 hitter prior to steroids.

Wait... so you are 100% positive Bonds used 'Roids? Please tell me the exact date he started using them... if you can?

[Xanathol]

It really doesn't make much sense to compare them considering how different the eras were, but Ruth playing in a segregated era seems far more significant than Bonds taking steroids in a steroids-filled league to face pitchers that were also taking steroids.
You can't be serious?!

Steroids help pitchers recover - not throw faster ( outside the potential for a couple mph in leg strength ), put movement on the ball, or help them hit their spots.

Do you really think Satchel Paige would have stymied Ruth's career? Hint: no, he wouldn't have.

Bonda played with a literal mechanical advantage while popping roids and in smaller ball parks - all in an era where home runs are commonplace. Ruth played part of his career in a deadball era, played in larger ballparks, and completely dominated the game, hitting more home runs some years than the other league combined! To say Bonds in the same sentence as Ruth is comedic gold.

Wait... so you are 100% positive Bonds used 'Roids? Please tell me the exact date he started using them... if you can?
Pretty sure we can narrow it down a few years - pictures of Bonds over the years (http://keepingscore.blogs.time.com/2007/07/05/the-evolution-of-barry-bonds/#1986-2).

[Sanka]

Wait... so you are 100% positive Bonds used 'Roids? Please tell me the exact date he started using them... if you can?Yes, and according to those pictures somewhere between 1991-1992.

[Al Bundy]

Yes, and according to those pictures somewhere between 1991-1992.

IF he did them.. looks like 1997 might have been the jumping off point. The steroid, but he still was well on his way to being a HOF had the cloud of steroids not set in.

[Al Bundy]

You can't be serious?!

Steroids help pitchers recover - not throw faster ( outside the potential for a couple mph in leg strength ), put movement on the ball, or help them hit their spots.

Do you really think Satchel Paige would have stymied Ruth's career? Hint: no, he wouldn't have.

Bonda played with a literal mechanical advantage while popping roids and in smaller ball parks - all in an era where home runs are commonplace. Ruth played part of his career in a deadball era, played in larger ballparks, and completely dominated the game, hitting more home runs some years than the other league combined! To say Bonds in the same sentence as Ruth is comedic gold.


Pretty sure we can narrow it down a few years - pictures of Bonds over the years (http://keepingscore.blogs.time.com/2007/07/05/the-evolution-of-barry-bonds/#1986-2).

Give me a fucking break... Ruth didn't play against all of the best players in America. If you don't think that.. then shit.

[tk13]

Bonds was barely a .300 hitter prior to steroids.

He went 25/30 his 2nd year in 1987. In 1990 the guy hit .301 with 33 HR and 52 SB. That's pretty tough.

[Al Bundy]

Ohh and if we are talking about someone being the best batter of this generation, I put my vote in for Ken Griffey Jr, and also.. if you don't think Steroids/HGH gave pitchers the exact same advantage as it did hitters.... uhhmm give me a break.

[Jenson71]

You can't be serious?!

Steroids help pitchers recover - not throw faster ( outside the potential for a couple mph in leg strength ), put movement on the ball, or help them hit their spots.

Do you really think Satchel Paige would have stymied Ruth's career? Hint: no, he wouldn't have.

If they threw Satchel Paige out there every other day against Ruth, like they did in deadball era, then no.

[kcxiv]

Ohh and if we are talking about someone being the best batter of this generation, I put my vote in for Ken Griffey Jr, and also.. if you don't think Steroids/HGH gave pitchers the exact same advantage as it did hitters.... uhhmm give me a break.

If onlly he played on grass. He could have been one of the best ever. That turf killed his knees. Plus he was fearless in center.

[Lex Luthor]

You can't be serious?!

Steroids help pitchers recover - not throw faster ( outside the potential for a couple mph in leg strength ), put movement on the ball, or help them hit their spots.


Roger Clemens begs to differ. Oh wait, I forgot, he never took steroids.

[Brianfo]

Barry Bonds was the greatest hitter of the era. Steroids or not. It's a shame he will never be in the hall of fame, but he he was one of the 5 best players of all-time. Bar none!!!!

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Babe Ruth was good. Barry Bonds was good. There's really no way to compare them.

[kcxiv]

Shows how much I pay attention to the NL. Did he fix those control issues?

ROSTER MOVE: The @Dodgers today designated RHP Mike MacDougal for assignment while MLB reinstated Ronald Belisario from the Restricted List.

lol. I guess he's not doing that well anymore. lol