Anthony Rizzo praises Bryce Harper despite his spat with Chicago Cubs’ reliever - MLB Update
The Chicago Cubs’ first baseman Anthony Rizzo talks highly about the Washington Nationals’ outfielder Bryce Harper, saying he is one of those batters that treat the pitches on merit. Commenting on his brawl with the reliever Lendy Castillo, he maintained
throwing the pitch at him was not intentional. At the same time Rizzo has clarified that Harper was not overreacting after he felt he had been deliberately thrown at.
Rizzo finds watching Harper on the plate sheer fascination because the belligerency that he brings at such a young age is incredible. Throughout the recently concluded series, Harper struck home-runs and massive hits. He was the main architect of the sweep
that the Nationals hammered to the Cubs. Offensively he was the most prolific batter in the whole series.
Realising the damage Harper can wreak from the plate, Rizzo is of the view that when he is playing as stopping hits is not easy. He reacts to every throw appropriately and knows the art of manipulating the pitches for useful hits.
When inquired to elucidate on the incident that resulted into the players entering the field and shoving each other, Rizzo has condoned Harper’s yelling at Castillo. Actually things went out of control for a while and in the heat of the moment, anger came
out.
"I don't think he was over the top at all," Rizzo said. "Things escalated. Bryce, it wasn't like he was running his mouth or saying anything. He plays this game the right way. He plays hard. He's real exciting to watch. Playing against him, you have to contain
him."
Notwithstanding the tremendous performance that Harper has put up in the season, he has been part of the controversies since his Major League debut. In some cases he has been provoked to do something silly and in others he has vented frustration on himself
in the field by slamming a bat on the ground. At times, he had face-off with players in the field.
All this indicates that Harper is young and is prone to lose his temperament whenever he faces something undesirable happening. The Nationals’ manager Davey Johnson will be hoping that Harper matures with time and focuses more on his game-play.
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