February 24, 2017

Harper Fatigued?

Bryce Harper talks about his post-MVP off season contributing to his poor 2016 regular season:

“There were certain times when I hit a ball to the track last year, and I think back and I’m like, ‘That should have been like three rows deep,’ ” Harper said. He remembered a ball he hit to dead center in Milwaukee. In his head: Gone. In reality: Caught.

“I’m like, ‘What the heck?’ ” Harper said. “I’m walking back, and I’m like, ‘Maybe if I had about 10 more pounds on me, or had worked out another day in the offseason, that might have been a homer.’ And it might not have been. But the thought was there for me.”

What emerged over the course of Thursday’s conversation was something Nationals fans might find encouraging for the 162 games ahead. Harper said, after winning the National League MVP in 2015, he ran himself ragged that offseason: a trip here, a sponsor’s appearance there, Jimmy Kimmel and the Super Bowl and whatever else he could experience. He was a kid. The candy store was expansive.

“I mean, that’s my choice,” he said. “And it’s on me. There’s certain things, it’s like, ‘Man, that’d be cool. I can’t pass that up. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.’ But this offseason, I really sat down and was like, ‘You know, that’s probably not a good idea.’ ”

Harper started 2016 gangbusters, then faded quickly. One of many things I like about Harper is that he appears to learn from his mistakes. Back in May, 2012, Harper faced Livan Hernandez in a game. Hernandez came on in relief in the sixth inning, and struck out Harper on a slow, big breaking pitch. Harper got back to the dugout and took a ribbing from his teammates. Harper faced Hernandez again in the eighth, and tried to throw the same pitch past Harper. Harper crushed the ball for a home run.

We’ll see if 2016 was a winter mistake, and if Harper indeed corrected that one as well.

3 thoughts on “Harper Fatigued?

  1. Ptodd

    Guy like that you worry about what happens when he gets thst big long term deal? Does he slack off on the offseason conditioning again? This is where a lot of those deals go bad. The motivation drops. Not for everyone so Gm’s really need to get a handle on it. Not everyone is as extreme as Pablo who admitted the contract was a reason for the weight gain. On the other side you had Arod who risked suspension with PED’s after he signed his last deal because he was motivated beyond money

    Harper is going after a big deal after having only 1 great year in 4 years. Thats with big money on the horizon. Take that away and its anyones guess what he becomes. I’d wait on Trout myself

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  2. Jaunty Rockefeller

    Who knows how tiring it can be in an absolute sense–but the important sense is relative. Harper is way to the right edge of the bell curve, but so is everyone else in MLB. Would an extra week off from traveling helped him? Hard to say, but some research is now investigating the effects of cross-country travel on road teams. Point being, the separation between MVP and mere all star is razor thin to begin with. Why wouldn’t he at least take all things into consideration?

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