Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Bryce Harper has put himself at the front of the MVP conversation in only a week’s time. He had one of the greatest weeks in the history of MLB last week. Harper was 10-for-22 at the plate with six home runs, 13 RBIs and an outrageous 25 total bases in those 22 at-bats. Harper was also only the fifth MLB player since 1920 to accumulate six homers and 12 or more RBIs in a three-game stretch. For the season, Harper has totaled 11 home runs, which leads the National League, and 27 RBIs. Harper is also slashing .300/.435/.655, leads the major leagues in walks with 27 and his 1.089 OPS is good for fourth in MLB.
The biggest reason for Harper’s progression this season has been his vastly improved plate discipline. He looks like a veteran hitter this season with his approach at the plate. Unlike previous years, Harper is taking his walks instead of swinging from his heels on balls clearly out of the strike-zone. Early in the season, teams were trying to make him get himself out by swinging at those pitches like in previous years, but he has learned to wait for his pitch, and if he doesn’t see it, then a walk is perfectly fine. Once pitchers realized he was being so patient, they began to try and get ahead of him early in counts, and that’s when Harper started pouncing.
Defensively, Harper has also taken his game to another level. He leads all MLB right fielders with a 0.4 defensive wins above replacement (DWAR), which means in five weeks he is already worth a half a win above an average replacement. Harper is as talented as any outfielder in the league, and after working at his craft for years, he has finally put it all together on the playing field. It wouldn’t be surprising at all if he were to also bring home a Gold Glove this season.
For years, Harper has been touted as the next generation star of MLB, which was a lot of pressure for a teenager to fulfill. This season, it seems he has blocked out the critics and has been playing with a whole different demeanor. The beast that has been living inside Harper for so long has finally risen to the surface, and the rest of MLB better watch out.
Jason Fletcher is a MLB Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.
