FROM THE ARCHIVES: The Nationals Will Win a World Series with Bryce Harper
This piece is being published as part of The Rival American’s Decade Throwback Thursday
by Lucas Trevor and Jacob Wallace
In a league-changing move this June, the Washington Nationals drafted up-and-coming outfield superstar Bryce Harper with the first overall pick in the MLB Draft. Harper was the man to get this year, and fills a need that many teams throughout the league have. A five-tool player who can play in multiple defensive positions, Harper is exactly what the Nationals need to win the World Series for the first time in Washington.
After Harper’s amateur stint as a catcher, the Nationals will be moving the future stud to the outfield. Saying of this move, General Manager Mike Rizzo explained this choice would, “accelerate his development in the minor leagues and extend his career in the major leagues.” It is clear that the Nationals are all in on Bryce Harper, and are making all the moves to ensure Harper is a Nat for life.
After Harper was drafted, the debate in baseball circles has turned to his on-field conduct, rather than his play. Rizzo defended Harper by explaining, “There are no concerns about this player's makeup… We are sold on him, his family, the character of the player. He acts like a 17-year-old at times. I don't want to tell you what I did when I was 17.” This, along with statements from the rest of the organization, seem to imply the view that Harper will be putting his past antics behind him, and maturing into a professional player who would never throw pieces of equipment or argue with umpires.
As for Harper’s on the field talent, Rizzo did not mince words with how important the 17-year-old would be. “We feel that he's going to be a cornerstone of the organization, on and off the field.” The importance of a middle of the lineup bat cannot be overstated for a team that is on the rebuild. It seems that Harper may be a key for the Nationals to finally surpass the talent of the division-champion Phillies, a team that’s just two years removed from their World Series win.
As for his dedication to the Nationals clubhouse, it seems Harper is the kind of player who stays in a city for a long time. His commitment to play on a lower level team with his brother rather than compete at a Division I school shows the kind of loyalty rare in the major leagues. With their first-round pick this year, the Nationals have made it clear that they one day hope to partner Bryce Harper with a veteran talent like Ivan Rodrigues and Adam Dunn, as well as young star relief pitcher Drew Storen, to one day bring home a World Series title.
These specific commentators can’t see any way for Washington to bring home a title without Harper’s powerful bat.