Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper will start in Minor League this season – MLB Update
The Washington Nationals have decided to shift their top prospect to Class A Hagerstown. After a good time in the Grapefruit League, Bryce Harper will make his way to a club so that he can gain more experience. The star player was part of the squad that
beat the New York Yankees, 6-5 and he will be expected to join the Minor League when opening day dawns in Major League Baseball.
Until then, general manager Mike Rizzo is looking for Harper to train more in Viera, Florida.
"We think Bryce needs to go to the Minor Leagues, get four or five at-bats per game and prepare himself for the season - that's the reason we got him out," Rizzo said.
The general manager went on to tell the press that Harper was gaining At-Bats in one or two plate appearances per game. Though he has been playing in short stints, Rizzo went on to say that Harper needs more representation in the field and that comes without
saying that there are plate appearances needed as well.
Knowing that there is a lot of expectation riding high behind his career, Harper is trying to find his place in the 25-man squad. The 2010 First Year Player Draft Pick is prepared to go through the right path in development before he is called in to play
for the Nationals in the Major League Baseball format. Even though he was riding high on the hopes of going straight into the first squad, his disappointment on the demotion did not show. He tackled the reporters diplomatically.
"I have to go down there and get a couple of more at-bats per day," Harper said. "That will be good for me. It was a great experience here. I couldn't ask for anything better. I loved every minute of it. Hopefully, I'll be back soon. Nobody likes to leave
the big league club. I'll just go down to the Minor League club. I'm going to bust my butt. I'm going to play hard, like I always do."
During spring, Harper piled on a batting average of .389. He hit 7 for 18 in his 13 appearances for the Nationals.
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