The first full day of spring training was all about the kid. Bryce Harper, 18, was the one who had media and fans buzzing. He's a big kid who looks the biggest he's ever been, telling us he's weighing in at around 220 pounds. Then again, I guess when your only 18 you are going to be as big as you've ever been.
While I was watching, he had three HRs during batting practice. Now that was against a coach just lobbing it in there. Once he faced real fire in live BP, he slowed down a bit, making solid contact that would translate into base hits just a handful of times.
Harper is also still learning a new position (outfield), so let's not forget this kid grew up playing catcher and that transition doesn't happen overnight.
The kid is confident. When asked if it was realistic to talk about playing in the Majors right out of spring training, Harper answered, "Why can't that be realistic? Why can't I come in here and think I can make this team? ... I've exceeded expectations my whole life. … Werth came up to me today and a couple of guys said, 'You going to make this club or what?' I'm trying to make this club and I'm going to come out here everyday and make their choice hard."
For the record, there is no way Harper starts his career in the majors. The Nats want him to get a good taste of the minor leagues and learn how to be a pro on and off the field. I would be surprised if he even comes up for a cup of coffee at the end of the year. General Manager Mike Rizzo told me point blank today that the difference between Stephen Strasburg and Harper is that Strasburg was Major League ready coming out of college. Harper is not.
Harper also said he can't wait to play the Yankees because he grew up loving them. He wants to see Cano and Jeter and how they "go about their business." (The Nats play the Yankees in Tampa on March 5.)
When I asked Jayson Werth if he was comfortable being story 1B on day one of spring training, he said, "That's up to you guys. That's why you get paid the big bucks and I get paid to hit sliders." That from a man who just got a $126 million deal. Werth is a very laid back cat, and it will be interesting to see how he responds in August if he's not playing well and someone asks him about the pressure of the contract.
One last interesting nugget from sports photog Chris Kerwin, who saw a man trying to walk into the Nats clubhouse when he was stopped by security. The security guard asked the man, "Where are you trying to go sir and what's your name." The man responded, "To the clubhouse and it's Frank Robinson." Not very often that Frank Robinson doesn't get recognized at a baseball stadium. Although to be fair he looked a little different. Frank has lost about 20 pounds.
You can follow Dan Hellie on Twitter @dhellie.
