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★★★
Bryce Harper is one of those players who will need to prove himself to a certain type of fan for the next 10 years. Since he’s been in the league for three years now, it can be easy to forget just how young he really is. He’s four years younger than George Springer. He’s three years younger than Billy Hamilton. He’s nine months younger than Kris Bryant! Even with his relative youth, the 22-year-old is still getting the "bust" word thrown around about him.
There are a few different reasons Harper is already at the put-up-or-shut-up point of his career just after being able to legally buy a beer. A big part of it is his attitude. He’s a confident guy, and though it may rub some people the wrong way, it’s not going to change. There’s also his style of play, which is always going to have a reckless streak to it. Other players would be lauded for their hustle, but Harper is chastised for the injury risk. Of course, the biggest reason for this is the hype that comes with appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 16 years old. People tend to hold that against you. Call it LeBron Syndrome. It also doesn’t help that he came into the league right around the same time as Mike Trout, setting himself up for a lifetime of that unfair comparison.
No, Harper hasn’t been everything he was touted to be when he was coming up through the minors. Not yet, at least. He’s still been very good at baseball though, especially when you consider his youth. His OPS+ through age 21 is 121, the same as Miguel Cabrera’s at the same age. That guy has ended up with a pretty decent career. He’ll always be a polarizing figure in the game, and maybe baseball needs that. It’s happening again this year, but it doesn’t look like he’s letting it get to him.
- Dellin Betances set the league on fire last season, but he hasn’t looked like his old self in spring training. Should Yankee fans be worried?
- On the other side of town, the Mets got a breakout year from Lucas Duda in 2014. He may be rewarded with a boatload of guaranteed cash.
- It’s refreshing to see that those in the Cubs organization are keeping the expectations for their young bats in check.
- Jordan Zimmermann made it known that he wouldn’t want to negotiate an extension during the season. As the de facto deadline for a long-term deal approaches, it’s looking more and more likely that the big righty will hit the free agent market.
- He’s not as established as Zimmermann, but Carlos Martinez has all of the potential in the world in his right arm. He just needs to find a role.
- Jonathan Papelbon still finds himself on the trading block, but he’s expressed a willingness to pitch in Toronto. Unfortunately, they gotta want you too, Jon.
- The Red Sox put a lot on the shoulders of young catcher Christian Vazquez heading into the season, hoping he could carry the load for a contending team. Now, he’s going to miss the start of the season, and it could be much worse.
- Everyone’s favorite player continues to rake this spring.
- It’s with a heavy heart that we pass on the news of Mariners prospect Victor Sanchez’s death six weeks after being hit by a boat while swimming in Venezuela.
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