Bryce Harper (Getty Images file)
Spotlight on… Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals
Whatap up: The 2012 National League rookie of the year is searching for his game. When the Nationals resumed play after the all-star break, Harper was hitting only .244 with a .316 on-base percentage and a .366 slugging percentage. Comparisons of Harper and Angels phenom Mike Trout have ceased because Trout clearly is the superior player.
Background: Bryce Harper posted a .272 batting average over his first two seasons, but his third year has been a painful one. He missed 59 games because of a torn ligament in his thumb. Before the injury, Harper was hitting .289 with one home run and nine RBIs in 22 games. Since returning from the disabled list June 30, he was hitting only .205 (9-for-44) entering Saturday.
Saunders’ take: At the tender age of 21, Harper remains an immensely talented player, but he’s suffering growing pains. As noted in The Washington Post last week, he’s having trouble with breaking balls. He’s missing on curveballs 40 percent of the time and is swinging and missing on 45 percent of the off-speed pitches he’s seen.
“I’m still trying to see where my swing is at and get in shape for left field,” Harper told The Washington Post.
The Nationals are contenders despite Harper’s subpar season, but if he returns to form, they should be considered a real threat to win the NL pennant.
“Itap coming, you guys. Everybody knows itap coming,” manager Matt Williams told reporters who cover the Nationals. “And when it does, pitchers are going to pay.”
That payback could begin at Coors Field on Monday, when the Nationals face left-hander Franklin Morales in their series opener against the Rockies.
Tags: Bryce Harper, Nationals
