Coming off a .270/.340/.477, 26 double, nine triple, 22 HR, +4.9 fWAR NL Rookie of the Year Award-worthy 2012 campaign with the NL East champion Washington Nationals, 20-year-old 2010 no.1 overall pick Bryce Harper declined an invitation to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic so he could concentrate on preparing for his first Spring Training as a member of the Nats' major league roster. Last Spring there was conjecture about whether or not the then-19-year-old outfielder was going to break camp with the major league team, with manager Davey Johnson among those campaigning for Harper to make the Nationals' Opening Day roster.
Harper started the year at Triple-A Syracuse, but was up even sooner than expected when injuries led the Nationals to call their top prospect up to make his MLB debut. After an impressive rookie campaign in the nation's capital, Harper's off to another good start. Through six games, Harper's 9 for 16 (.563/.563/.875) with two doubles and a home run in Grapefruit League action. Washington's acquisition of center fielder Denard Span means that Harper will be playing left in 2013 after he spent most of his time in center last season. Nats' GM Mike Rizzo told 106.7 the FAN in D.C's Grant Paulsen earlier this winter that the young catcher-turned-center fielder, "... needs to learn how to play both left field and right field." Harper might end up in right field one day, when Jayson Werth relinquishes his hold on that outfield spot, but this year the Nats' hard-hitting slugger will get comfortable in left.
Harper plays hard. Trains hard and hangs out with Mickey Mouse? Given a day off with no Grapefruit League games scheduled today, the Nats' young outfielder apparently took a trip to Disney World today where he received some hitting tips from none other than Mickey Mouse himself... and there are pictures...
(MARCH 4, 2013): Reigning National League Rookie of the Year Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals signs an autograph for Mickey Mouse March 4, 2013 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Harper also was named to the 2012 NL All-Star Team. The Washington Nationals are hosting their MLB Spring Training in nearby Viera, Fla. (Gene Duncan, photographer)
(MARCH 4, 2013): Reigning National League Rookie of the Year Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals poses March 4, 2013 with Mickey Mouse at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Harper also was named to the 2012 NL All-Star Team. The Washington Nationals are hosting their MLB Spring Training in nearby Viera, Fla. (Gene Duncan, photographer)
(MARCH 4, 2013): Reigning National League Rookie of the Year Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals poses March 4, 2013 with Mickey Mouse at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Harper also was named to the 2012 NL All-Star Team. The Washington Nationals are hosting their MLB Spring Training in nearby Viera, Fla. (Gene Duncan, photographer)
(MARCH 4, 2013): Reigning National League Rookie of the Year Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals poses March 4, 2013 with Mickey Mouse at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Harper also was named to the 2012 NL All-Star Team. The Washington Nationals are hosting their MLB Spring Training in nearby Viera, Fla. (Gene Duncan, photographer)
Earlier today Mickey offered @nationals OF Bryce Harper a couple hitting tips @waltdisneyworld. @bharper3407 twitter.com/DisneySports/s'
' Disney Sports (@DisneySports) March 4, 2013
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