Bryce Almighty

picture courtesy of  nydailynews.com

The Washington Nationals have had the two most electrifying prospects in recent history. First up was Stephen Strasburg in 2010, and now is the thrilling Bryce Harper. The first overall pick in the 2010 draft, Harper exploded on to the scene and has become a must-watch sensation. During Harper's first start in the majors, other players were shown his power when he hit a laser shot over the head of Matt Kemp in the 7th inning. Then, with a throw from left field to home plate that was right on the money (but the runner was safe after catcher Wilson Ramos was unable to hold on to the ball), players quickly learned that he had a cannon for an arm as well.

At the age of 19, not only is he the youngest player in the big leagues, but there is no one younger than him in  triple-A either. After only five games in, Nationals manager Davey Johnson felt he was ready to bat in the number 3 spot: a spot usually designated for a team's best hitter.

Harper caught a great deal of criticism while he was playing for the Class A South Atlantic Hagerstown. After homering in a game, he first admired his work, then proceeded to blow a kiss at  Greensboro pitcher Zachary Neal. The video became a instant hit, being broadcast on every major sports network and making the rounds on social media. My first thought when I saw the clip was: Here is another big time prospect that just doesn't get it. Then I learned that there was more to the story.

"The pitcher was showing us up the whole game," said Taylor Jordan, then a Hagerstown (Md.) Suns pitcher. "Bryce finally tattooed one and showed him he's not the only one doing something out there."

The opposing pitcher was "showing them up" by doing a little dance and screaming at the Hagerstown dugout every time he struck one of their batters out. Harper's actions, while immature, where at least understandable.

But what a difference a year makes. Last Sunday, Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels' first pitch to Harper nailed him right in the back. No doubt, it was an intentional act by Hamels, who even admitted so after the game. Harper took his base with no incident, then advanced to third on a Jayson Werth single. Harper would then attain his sweet revenge:

This clip illustrates Harper's improved maturity. After stealing home you see Harper stand up, give a small fist pump then head to the dugout. If I were in his shoes, I would have at least stared down Hamels, and would have been tempted to run out to the mound and let him have a piece of my mind.

 For a 19 year old phenom that Sports Illustrated called "Baseball's LeBron," Bryce Harper's big league career so far has been very refreshing. From his on the field non-stop never say die attitude to his off the field interactions with fans involving pick-up softball games (youtube.com), I look forward to seeing him continue to develop into a perennial All Star and eventual Hall of Fame inductee.