MLB Glamor boys in 1st Playoffs

[Runscott]

Mike Trout and Stephen Strasburg...and Bryce Harper

Trout - waiting for his first hit, but did get a walk
Strasburg - allows 8 hits, 2 runs in 5 innings
Bryce Harper - just hit a BOMB to remind us he's in the mix

[the 'stache]

If somebody gets through to Harper about playing within himself (and he may have already received the message on his own), look out. I have been watching baseball for a long time, and when I watch Harper, I am so excited by what I see. He is so darned close to being just a monster, and I think 2015 is the year when he puts it all together. People ooo and ah over Trout, and rightfully so. But Harper can hit a baseball to places that Trout will never approach. There are a select few in the Majors that can compete with Bryce Harper's pure power-Giancarlo Stanton and Devin Mesoraco are two that pop into my my mind. Josh Hamilton has that kind of power when he is healthy.

I absolutely admire that Harper goes all out. When he first came up, he was diving for everything, running into the wall to make catches, diving into bases to avoid a tag. But there's a fine line between playing hard, and playing recklessly, and if he's ever going to reach his massive potential, he has to discover how to operate on the right side. He doesn't have to give less than a full effort, but he doesn't need to throw his body around in a manner that gets him hurt.

If Harper reaches his full potential, we're going to see something we haven't seen since Barry Bonds retired. We're going to see a guy at the plate who hits the ball out of the park so often, that pitchers are just going to start walking him. I don't think he'll ever approach the batting averages Bonds did, but there's no reason to think that Harper can't be a .280 + hitter, and walk 130 + times a season. Because if they don't walk him, he's going to hit 50 home runs a year. His bat just explodes through the strike zone unlike any player I've seen. He uses his entire body to generate power. He reminds me of the game footage I've seen of Mantle. They used to say that even Mick's teeth helped him generate power. Well, that could be Harper. I think that will be Harper.

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

If somebody gets through to Harper about playing within himself (and he may have already received the message on his own), look out. I have been watching baseball for a long time, and when I watch Harper, I am so excited by what I see. He is so darned close to being just a monster, and I think 2015 is the year when he puts it all together. People ooo and ah over Trout, and rightfully so. But Harper can hit a baseball to places that Trout will never approach. There are a select few in the Majors that can compete with Bryce Harper's pure power-Giancarlo Stanton and Devin Mesoraco are two that pop into my my mind. Josh Hamilton has that kind of power when he is healthy.

I absolutely admire that Harper goes all out. When he first came up, he was diving for everything, running into the wall to make catches, diving into bases to avoid a tag. But there's a fine line between playing hard, and playing recklessly, and if he's ever going to reach his massive potential, he has to discover how to operate on the right side. He doesn't have to give less than a full effort, but he doesn't need to throw his body around in a manner that gets him hurt.

If Harper reaches his full potential, we're going to see something we haven't seen since Barry Bonds retired. We're going to see a guy at the plate who hits the ball out of the park so often, that pitchers are just going to start walking him. I don't think he'll ever approach the batting averages Bonds did, but there's no reason to think that Harper can't be a .280 + hitter, and walk 130 + times a season. Because if they don't walk him, he's going to hit 50 home runs a year. His bat just explodes through the strike zone unlike any player I've seen. He uses his entire body to generate power. He reminds me of the game footage I've seen of Mantle. They used to say that even Mick's teeth helped him generate power. Well, that could be Harper. I think that will be Harper.

The pure violence (controlled violence) of Harper's swing is awesome... And is a fun contrast to the typically smooth swinging lefties we know and love (Griffey, Clark, Justice, etc). I agree Bill, I think he'll be a monster when he puts it all together, but even as is, is maybe my most- "can't miss at bat" in the game today.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Harper is a fun guy to watch. It's hard to believe that he is so young because it seems like I've been hearing about him for years.

[the 'stache]

I do need to amend part of my first post. I was amazed to find that the longest home run hit this season was by Mike Trout. 489 feet! I thought he'd top out at about 450 feet or so, with Harper being able to best that. I don't know what the conditions were, as I haven't looked yet. But that's hitting a ball into the stratosphere. Wow.

http://www.hittrackeronline.com/index.php

Trout's average true home run distance this year 412.5 feet. Average speed off bat 104.6 mph. 6 no doubters on 36 home runs.
Compare that to the guy I see most often, Ryan Braun. Braun's 2012 average true distance was 406.9 feet. Average speed off bat 104.2 mph. 7 no doubters on 41 home runs.

And Braun hits some real bombs. His longest home run in 2012 was 460 feet. His longest home run in 2010 was 474 feet. His longest home run in 2007 was 476 feet. And I think a few of his other home runs are off the mark, measurement wise. I remember him hitting one in 2008, his second year in the Majors, that they said was 480 at home. But regardless, for Trout to best him is quite impressive.

[KCRfan1]

Harper may have " all world " talent, but he has spent a lot of time on the bench due to injuries of various sorts. And the injuries have included, hip, knee ( both in 2013 ), and last season his thumb. For someone being so young, and the demands baseball puts on the body due to the length of the season, the seriousness of Harpers injuries do not translate to a long and or productive career in my opinion.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Originally Posted by KCRfan1

Harper may have " all world " talent, but he has spent a lot of time on the bench due to injuries of various sorts. And the injuries have included, hip, knee ( both in 2013 ), and last season his thumb. For someone being so young, and the demands baseball puts on the body due to the length of the season, the seriousness of Harpers injuries do not translate to a long and or productive career in my opinion.

Time will tell.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

I do need to amend part of my first post. I was amazed to find that the longest home run hit this season was by Mike Trout. 489 feet! I thought he'd top out at about 450 feet or so, with Harper being able to best that. I don't know what the conditions were, as I haven't looked yet. But that's hitting a ball into the stratosphere. Wow.

http://www.hittrackeronline.com/index.php

Trout's average true home run distance this year 412.5 feet. Average speed off bat 104.6 mph. 6 no doubters on 36 home runs.
Compare that to the guy I see most often, Ryan Braun. Braun's 2012 average true distance was 406.9 feet. Average speed off bat 104.2 mph. 7 no doubters on 41 home runs.

And Braun hits some real bombs. His longest home run in 2012 was 460 feet. His longest home run in 2010 was 474 feet. His longest home run in 2007 was 476 feet. And I think a few of his other home runs are off the mark, measurement wise. I remember him hitting one in 2008, his second year in the Majors, that they said was 480 at home. But regardless, for Trout to best him is quite impressive.

I think something may be going on with Trout. I won't deny his talent, and I'm a huge fan, BUT there seemed to have been something drastically different about his plate approach this year. He seems to be just swinging for the fences EVERY damn time. Sure it resulted in seemingly more power, but also an insane amount of K's. His grand total of only 18 SB attemps is what is kinda concerning me.

I'm down to 3 conclusions. Either something's up with his legs, and he's changed his batting approach as a result, so that he doesn't have to run as much. OR the change is his batting approach has nothing to do with anything else, and has just resulted in fewer steal opportunities. OR just a fluke thing, and things just happened to coincidentally work out this way this season..

[Runscott]

One of the t.v. analysts said that it's been a conscious effort on Trout's part to hit more home runs. Interestingly, it's the exact opposite of what Cano seems to have done this year. Trout will probably be the MVP this year, so it's tough to argue with his approach.

I am surprised that he has been completely ineffective in his first two playoff games. He might be able to make up for it in future games, except for the problem of being down 0-2 and heading to Kansas City. This could be a long winter for Trout.

[Runscott]

Points to Trout for hitting a dinger with no score, thus sort of clutch. But 1 for 12 ?!?!?!