We were expecting to see him full time as it already was, but with Werth now gone for an extended period with an injury, Harper will without a doubt be in the lineup daily, and if he hits well he will bat what looks to be third most of the season.
What kind of numbers will this kid produce? Are you starting him in your mixed league? I'm trying to decide if I should start him or Morales, who is my third OF.
I'm going to say his final stat line will be around .270-80-20-80-20.
Team Izzy C Mauer 1 E5 2 Cano 3 ARam S Rollins CI LaRoche MI Altuve O Melky, Pagan, Morse, Hunter, Ruggiano SP Lee, Fister, Estrada, McCarthy, Lohse RP Chapman, Jansen, Frieri, Fujikawa Bench 1 Hart S Cabrera O Eaton U Ortiz P Marcum P Miller P Fernandez
I would agree with the above stat line. Looks about right on to me. He has shown he can take walks and has great speed, which should keep his average and SB up.
I also just read that Hamels admitted hitting him in last night's game. Everyone could tell it was intentional, but why hit him and why admit it? Because he is a great young player who plays with confidence, and because Hamels thinks he needs an extra few days off?
Ryan Zimmerman will be returning from the DL tomorrow. where does Harper end up hitting in the batting order?
could Harper bat either 1st or 2nd? Ian Desmond (current leadoff hitter) - .267/.299/.442/.741 Danny Espinoa (was batting 2nd before Zimmerman went down/Steve Lombardozzi got playing time) - .194/.292/.245/.537
Zimmerman definitely should be batting 3rd, but it might not be the worst thing in the world to bat him cleanup. I do think the lineup needs a shuffle though, you cant have a guy batting at the top of the order with an OBP of .299.
Ender wrote:I'll go with .265 - 65 - 15 - 75 - 15.
I think the league will adjust to him and he will take some time to adjust back. Next year I expect him to put up some good numbers though.
That would still be useful in 12 team leagues, provided you had any success benching him during his cold streaks and starting him when he heats up. I think there's a chance he could do better than that. It's been a long time since a 19 year old made a major impact, but it's not like it's never happened before. It's an extremely good sign that they already trust him enough to hit him 3rd, not to mention Werth's injury pretty much erases any risk of being sent back down.
The SB really help limit his floor. Even if he really struggles for a while and goes like 12/12 it has some value at least where if he was a 15 HR, 0 SB guy that doesn't carry nearly as much value. I think he should be owned in all leagues because there is certainly potential for so much more.
What do you guys think his first HR ball will be worth? I'm sure there are some rich collectors out there who'd be willing to pay a pretty penny and I'm the kind of person who would take advantage of this. If I caught his first HR ball, I'd keep it and sell it on EBay for top dollar rather than give it back to the team/Harper/the HOF/whatever for an autographed jersey, bat, & ball, and a chance to go down to the clubhouse, meet Bryce, and get my picture taken with him. Maybe that makes me an a-hole, but it's who I am.
Where would you put his value if you have him as a keeper in the 19th round and it will stay that way as long as he is kept? Could you land a Lester type starter or is that not enough in your mind
For the season as long as he stays up I agree with Izenhart's projection, kid has skills and will get at bats. Once Zim gets back that will be a much needed boost