Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper improving credentials for Major League - MLB News
Stood as patient as a punching box, Bryce Harper bags the acknowledgment of management, batting at third and enduring five innings at right field during a 3-0 exhibition win against Georgetown.
Giving no impression of the oddity he could experience while playing among players older than him, he managed a calm look on his face whilst looking over the Space Coast Stadium diamond at the Georgetown Hoyas.
Although known for power hitting, finding him bunting for singles and earning the walks in the game tells something of the maturity he is bringing in his play. As he prepares for the Nationals’ kicking off schedule against Houston Astros on Saturday, the
most fascinating aspect will be his dealing with their new acquisition Liván Hernández, a soft-tossing starter.
Unlike his last year outing when he would stutter on the plate facing the pitch, he displayed sobriety this time. Surprising the crowd by dragging a bunt on the first pitch and relying largely on the walks instead of big hits are few things standing in a
sharp contrast to his previous season flamboyance.
Good thing for Harper however is that Manager Davey Johnson is pleased with his measured and slow play saying, “No big deal, he’s just trying to get something going.”
Knowing the necessary adjustments he needs at the Major League level and how pitchers are going to approach him, he is having a talk with his hitting Coach Rick Eckstein on different aspects.
“He’s always shown the ability to make the adjustment against the competition that he’s facing,” Rick Eckstein while commenting on his preparations said. “So take it one step at a time. It’s the one thing I think he’s done his entire career: Face competition
that’s older than him and make the necessary adjustment to compete at the highest level.”
Out-field is the area Harper aspires to make big strides in by working hard in the Spring. Galloping a running catch in right-field and keeping the runners at bay for most part in the match testifies his eagerness to improve himself in the out-field.
Not trying to show off his power just for the sake of showing it as he did last year, he now seems to react only as the situation demands.
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