Braves1976 (04-22-2017), The Chosen One (04-23-2017), thewupk (04-22-2017)
Yes, if it continues. Which was my position in 2015 when you were bringing this up. 1 great year doesn't make you the best player in baseball. Harper had an insanely good 2015 and followed it up with a meh year as far as greatness is concerned. He's off to a really good start this year as well. However Trout has been doing what Harper did 2 years ago for his entire career. Trout has a real chance to be a top 5 player of all time.
Which is something you should of never done. Harper pretty much has to do what Trout had done up to that point for anyone to seriously have this conversation. Does Harper have insane amounts of talent? Yes. But you have to produce consistent results like Trout to be considered the best player in the game.
Unfortunately, that doesn't tell the whole story. His OPS is hovering right around .700. His walk rate is down (only 3 walks on the year). He's not hitting for ANY power! Coming into today, he had 1 HR and 1 3B. No doubles. His ISO has trended downward every single year since he hit 27 homers for us in 2012. Would love to see him bounce back and reach his potential, but doesn't seem to be happening.
OPS is currently 787 but yes we are at the point in a season where one really good game can turn around seasonal stats. I pegged Heward as a 120 WRC+ hitter after hitting FA. Last year obviously sucked but I would not be shocked if he ends the year with a WRC+ around what it currently is. That plus his defense will bring another 5+ WAR season.
I get the talent conversation, but anyone even comparing Trout and Harper needs to just stop. Trout has been incredible his whole career and is set up to be a HOF. Harper can be incredible, and I won't dispute the ceiling conversation, but the comparisons are so annoying. One is a perennial all star with little to no problems every single year while one is a really good, and young player, but has a lot of work to do to even compare.
That being said, I'd love to make a run at Harper once he's a FA. It won't do anything, but he's a great get for anyone. lol not saying he isn't an incredible player.
For greediness reasons, I want Harper or Trout to become a Brave, and the other to end up in the NL East somewhere. Would then have 3 of the premier players in baseball with Stanton in the NL East
The Chosen One (04-23-2017)
Harper 78 PA.393/.526/.836 7 homers 0 SB 250 RC+
Freeman 73 PA .400/.507/.850 7 homers 2 SB 251 RC+
"Donald Trump will serve a second term as president of the United States.
It’s over."
Little Thethe Nov 19, 2020.
mossy (04-23-2017)
It's feared that Shelby Miller may need Tommy John surgery.