| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| bambino_dad |
Posted - 06/04/2009 : 13:28:54
Anybody seen this kid play? I remember a not-to-be-mentioned website featuring him as THE TRUTH last year. He's on SI's cover and only 16. From YouTube he looks like a full grown man. Of course, only time will tell if he's the real deal. Baseball success is so hard to predict - especially once pitchers find a hole in your swing. Right, Francoeur?
Here's SI's story on this kid:
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1156215/index.htm
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Rocky |
Posted - 10/02/2009 : 06:53:56
I am gonna love this game of baseball when my son stops playing, can't play anymore or just finds something besides a ball to chase around like girls. It seems some parents are living for this dream of baseball fame more than the kids. What happens when it's over, for me I will keep on coaching and realize it aint about nothing but the journey, |
| bambino_dad |
Posted - 10/01/2009 : 19:54:20
I care as well. Baseball is life, and without getting too poetic about it, stories like Bryce's are the folklore of the game. I still believe in success stories. I like to read about them. My view is, if you love the game, why be a cynic, a hater, or worse - indifferent? I want to see the kid make it. He may or may not, but so what? It's a great story. |
| Rocky |
Posted - 10/01/2009 : 12:12:59
I care and I am pulling for the kid. |
| qui-gon.jinn |
Posted - 09/30/2009 : 08:01:03
truthfully, who really cares? I certainly don't. |
| oldmanmj |
Posted - 09/29/2009 : 19:39:24
Having seen him play, played with and played against him for the last 4 years, at just about every major Travel Ball event, and knowing his family personally, I can say without a doubt he is a talented young man, driven by his love for baseball. But he is also driven by a family member with unreal visions of granduer. His batting average against some of the best pitchers in the country, barely .300
At 16, this young man has the right mind, but not the matured body to compete everyday physically and mentally with men that have been doing it longer and better, consistently. Dad needs to get out of the way before his son gets left in the dust with all the other "Could have been a contender", but got greedy. He is a great young man with great talent for his age. Sadly there is no short cuts to greatness, especially in baseball. Where do all the greats that didn't get out of the minors do today? |
| Rocky |
Posted - 09/29/2009 : 17:56:36
Kid is still young and will probably dominate the JUCO league and end up being as good as everyone says. |
| Alter-Ego |
Posted - 09/29/2009 : 15:11:02
6-4-3,
The NC USA Baseball Showcase was a wood bat event for the 18U's which Bryce was participating in. The only ball he put in play was a fly ball to LF for an out.
The AFLAC all-american games was wood bat too, I believe. The thing, though, is if you are striking out, what type of bat you are swinging is irrelevant.  |
| justin case |
Posted - 09/27/2009 : 20:15:45
going 0 for 6 in your last national head lines is not walks. with how many, 5 strike outs, that does not sound like the next lebron james or tiger woods. sounds like hype to me. he needs to take his but back to high school. what you did yesterday does not equate to now. I keep hearing about what he did at 12 or 13, what has he done this summer. I do not care what you say there is to much hype here. it sounds to me when he faces the best pitchers in the country, he is being dominated as a hitter. and trust me he is know ken griffin jr or arod, they rarely struck out when they were his age. They straight domanited. |
| bambino_dad |
Posted - 09/27/2009 : 02:05:33
Looks like Bryce is headed off to college early, skipping two years of high school to head to Southern Nevada Junior College. Says he wants to get a chance to hit instead of getting walked all the time. Looks like his head is where it's supposed to be even with all the publicity.
Nice interview on USA baseball:
http://web.usabaseball.com/media/player/mp_tpl.jsp?w=http%3A//mfile.akamai.com/10869/wmv/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/2009/open/mlbam/2009/08/18/mlbtv_6154405_400K.wmv&w_id=1411397&type=v_free&f=i&ym=&_mp=1 |
| Alter-Ego |
Posted - 09/21/2009 : 14:31:15
In the lastest Bryce Harper sightings, I saw him play Thursday night in Cary NC in the 18U USA Baseball Showcase. They picked 20 players from that game to make up the 18U USA National Team. Two points I saw in person:
1) He has a cannon behind the plate. He threw out a very fast runner from his knees. The kid got so good of a jump Bryce could not get up out of his stance and had to throw it. He did not disappoint.
2) Pitchers are learning how to pitch him. He went 0-3 while I was watching, twice striking out. Similar to his outing in the AFLAC game.
I think he is a good enough player to make the adjustments to resolve #2. #1 point, above, will make him a valuable resource by whatever team he is being looked at.
Connor Mason, from Suwanee, GA struck him out in his 2nd AB, if I recall correctly. (BTW, he looked really good as well. Both made the 18U National Team)
Just thought I would pass on some first hand assessments. |
| bambino_dad |
Posted - 07/10/2009 : 22:06:09
Oh well...back to Jeff Francoeur, then
quote:
Baseball success is so hard to predict - especially once pitchers find a hole in your swing. Right, Francoeur?
quote:
But Francoeur is playing in the majors and making adjustments.
Not everybody thinks Francoeur's making adjustments. Right now, Mets fans are crying aloud and tearing their garments over the Ryan Church for Jeff Francoeur trade.
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/mlbtradeumorscom_mets_braves_swap_church_for_francoeur/
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| ronicard |
Posted - 07/10/2009 : 07:08:29
To answer my own question from above, Bryce was not with the team yesterday either. It appears to me that he will not be coming to this tournament. |
| ronicard |
Posted - 07/08/2009 : 12:32:19
Has anyone heard if Bryce is here with the 17U team yet? I'm thinking of taking some time off work tomorrow morning (Thursday) to take my youngest son to the game. I'd like to know if he's here yet before I do that though. Thanks for any input. |
| oldmanmj |
Posted - 07/08/2009 : 00:07:23
JCB --- How can someone hit 3 bombs and a double if he isn't even in the state yet? He was a no show for the 18's, not sure if he will be here for the 17's too. |
| ronicard |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 14:53:56
quote:
Originally posted by bballman
No show on Sat. morning. Asked one of the kids on the team if he was as good as everyone says he is and he said he is in BP, but pretty much said not so much in a game. Said he may be here next week for the 17u tournament. Who knows?
I went to the Saturday game at Blessed Trinity to see if he showed up as well. I talked with one of the moms from San Diego and she said that he was still in NC doing something with ESPN but they weren't sure if he was coming or not.
I also saw Coach Kinkelaar, the pitching coach from Georgia Tech and asked him if he had seen him play. He said he'd seen him play 5 times. I asked, "Is he as good as advertised?" His response, "He's better. He'd have been the #1 pick in the draft the last TWO years."
I also asked him where he thought he'd play in the pros. He said, "He's good enough to pitch, but he'll be a catcher because they want his stick in there hitting every day." I said, "Kinda like Weiters?" His response, "Exactly."
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| Dr. Old School |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 11:33:01
True, Hit and Run.
I think he is more working to get on the 18U USA National Team. At this point, it is probably more about doing the things you want, such as that, than going to showcase tournaments. As you said, scouts know what he's got. At this point, all he can do is disappoint. |
| Gold Glove |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 09:04:02
quote:
Originally posted by bat man
Did not show up at Blessed Trinity game either. They won 5-1 w/o the great NO SHOW. What a load of HYPE!!!!!
Don't be Haters!
He is no hype.
He dominates his age group and up to 2 years older.
Next spring will show whether he can continue to advance past his age when he faces 19-22 y/o JUCO pitching.
I wish him and ALL other baseball players success. |
| HITANDRUN |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 09:00:55
I imagine if my son was in his position I wouldnt have had him show either. Could sing for 10Mill why waste his time, scouts know what he's got. |
| bat man |
Posted - 07/04/2009 : 14:15:45
Did not show up at Blessed Trinity game either. They won 5-1 w/o the great NO SHOW. What a load of HYPE!!!!! |
| bballman |
Posted - 07/04/2009 : 11:47:30
No show on Sat. morning. Asked one of the kids on the team if he was as good as everyone says he is and he said he is in BP, but pretty much said not so much in a game. Said he may be here next week for the 17u tournament. Who knows? |
| Dr. Old School |
Posted - 07/04/2009 : 11:46:12
Wonder if he is at today's (Sat) game at BT?
It's like "Where is Waldo?" |
| ECB Mom |
Posted - 07/04/2009 : 09:50:20
Rumor in the dugout is that he does not plan on showing until Play-offs start. |
| Reggie |
Posted - 07/03/2009 : 22:28:58
Didnt show Friday either. |
| bballman |
Posted - 07/03/2009 : 22:15:47
His team is playing tomorrow morning at 11:30 at Blessed Trinity. I'm gonna go an see if he shows and plays. Let you know what I see. |
| KnoxStars |
Posted - 07/03/2009 : 21:51:51
Can anyone confirm that he will be playing tomorrow (Saturday). I will be passing through the area and I'm considering stopping in to watch him. |
