Bryce Harper...

[UtahDan]

LOL at traditional Nat Fan pessimism about the post season.

Hey, it's uncharted territory!

[pellegrino]

LOL at traditional Nat Fan pessimism about the post season.

pshaw, they've got nothing on the cubs.

[myboynoah]

I hope so. I am very relieved to have won the division, though I'm not very excited at the prospect of playing Atlanta or St. Louis. Also, no one seems to be talking about much (so maybe it doesn't matter, what do I know) but I think it is really important for this team to get homefield over the Reds, particularly with young guys and lots of guys who have never been there before. The truth is that the Nats have not looked all the good over the last few weeks with several pitchers giving up huge numbers in the first couple innings (I read that Edwin Jackson's first inning ERA is north of 7. Yeesh) and sort of like last night the bats falling silent. I'm definitely excited for the playoffs, but I would rather be hot right now like the Braves seem to be.

Part of this is probably Davey trying to get everything set up for the playoffs...getting the rotation set, guys rested etc. Being able to back into the NL East crown was a nice luxury, but you're right, it has resulted in some less than stellar results on the field.

LOL at traditional Nat Fan pessimism about the post season.

[DrumNFeather]

I hope so. I am very relieved to have won the division, though I'm not very excited at the prospect of playing Atlanta or St. Louis. Also, no one seems to be talking about much (so maybe it doesn't matter, what do I know) but I think it is really important for this team to get homefield over the Reds, particularly with young guys and lots of guys who have never been there before. The truth is that the Nats have not looked all the good over the last few weeks with several pitchers giving up huge numbers in the first couple innings (I read that Edwin Jackson's first inning ERA is north of 7. Yeesh) and sort of like last night the bats falling silent. I'm definitely excited for the playoffs, but I would rather be hot right now like the Braves seem to be.

Part of this is probably Davey trying to get everything set up for the playoffs...getting the rotation set, guys rested etc. Being able to back into the NL East crown was a nice luxury, but you're right, it has resulted in some less than stellar results on the field.

[UtahDan]

Harper capped off a pretty nice month. I think the ROY is his. He hit .330 for the month of September with 7 HR, 26 runs scored and an OPS over 1.00. He raised his BA 20 points to be at a very respectable .270. Decent numbers, but put in context they are impressive. He's a teenager in the middle of a pennant race with lots of pressure to perform. I can't wait to see what this kid does this post season. He seems to turn it up when the bright lights are on.

I hope so. I am very relieved to have won the division, though I'm not very excited at the prospect of playing Atlanta or St. Louis. Also, no one seems to be talking about much (so maybe it doesn't matter, what do I know) but I think it is really important for this team to get homefield over the Reds, particularly with young guys and lots of guys who have never been there before. The truth is that the Nats have not looked all the good over the last few weeks with several pitchers giving up huge numbers in the first couple innings (I read that Edwin Jackson's first inning ERA is north of 7. Yeesh) and sort of like last night the bats falling silent. I'm definitely excited for the playoffs, but I would rather be hot right now like the Braves seem to be.

[Surfah]

Harper capped off a pretty nice month. I think the ROY is his. He hit .330 for the month of September with 7 HR, 26 runs scored and an OPS over 1.00. He raised his BA 20 points to be at a very respectable .270. Decent numbers, but put in context they are impressive. He's a teenager in the middle of a pennant race with lots of pressure to perform. I can't wait to see what this kid does this post season. He seems to turn it up when the bright lights are on.

[DrumNFeather]

Nats clinch!!!! Nats clinch!!!!!!

[UtahDan]

Nats clinch!!!! Nats clinch!!!!!!

[pellegrino]

He took the first pitch way deep but just foul. I thought to myself if Cloyd goes inside again he's going to straighten that out. And the next pitch he did. I hope he gets a few more steals before the end of the year. 20-20 under the age of 20 would be cool.

he might, but probably won't before next Wednesday. I just looked at his stats and it looks like he's averaging one stolen base for every 11 times he gets on base. He will either have to be more aggressive and attempt more steals or he'll have to get on base twice more per game.

[Surfah]

Harper goes gonzo again.

He took the first pitch way deep but just foul. I thought to myself if Cloyd goes inside again he's going to straighten that out. And the next pitch he did. I hope he gets a few more steals before the end of the year. 20-20 under the age of 20 would be cool.

[MarkGrace]

Harper goes gonzo again.

[Surfah]

I agree with Surfah, though I'd say it the other way around - there are few 19 year olds that compare to him.

For being 19, Harper has flashes of amazing skill at the plate. His defense is not at the same level as his hitting, but he gets the job done. But where he really shines is on the bases. He's fearless and aggressive and is willing to take risks that few veterans will take. He forces the opposition to worry about him when he's on base and that helps his teammate who is in the box and that is an invaluable asset.

At this point, you're right. And I agree. His baserunning is pretty phenomenal. He creates so many errors by the opposing team because of his aggressiveness. It's a reason he's among the league leaders in runs scored as well.

[il Padrino Ute]

You know baseball, Paddy. How does he stack up in batting and in fielding skills for a player as young as he is?

For his age there are few he compares to.

I agree with Surfah, though I'd say it the other way around - there are few 19 year olds that compare to him.

For being 19, Harper has flashes of amazing skill at the plate. His defense is not at the same level as his hitting, but he gets the job done. But where he really shines is on the bases. He's fearless and aggressive and is willing to take risks that few veterans will take. He forces the opposition to worry about him when he's on base and that helps his teammate who is in the box and that is an invaluable asset.

[DU Ute]

If Rosario weren't so bad defensively, it would be a no-brainer. Harper will win it, because that's the sexy pick. Harper will become a perennial all-star, but there are other rookies who are having better years right now.

You are right. I actually think Miley probably deserves it. I have no problem with Harper winning it, though. He is having an incredible season for a 19 year old and I think there should be some weight given to his age.

Just one last Wilin Rosario fun fact before I stop crapping on the Harper thread. Where he stands right now, Rosario has the second highest slugging percentage ever for a rookie catcher. Amazing!

[Non Sequitur]

I know, I'm just saying a 23 is young for a catcher to be putting up the numbers Rosario is. He is 5th in baseball in AB per HR, it looks like there has only been one catcher in the last 18 years who has finished in the top 5. I'm not saying I would take him over Harper long term, that would be silly. I'm just saying he is putting up some great numbers, better than Bryce pretty much across the board, and deserves some props for doing so.

If Rosario weren't so bad defensively, it would be a no-brainer. Harper will win it, because that's the sexy pick. Harper will become a perennial all-star, but there are other rookies who are having better years right now.