Bryce Harper: Nationals Phenom Will Take One in the Kisser If He Doesn't Wise Up

Bryce Harper Needs to Learn Not to Show Up Pitchers

At the young age of 16, Bryce Harper was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. A year later, the Washington Nationals took him with the No. 1 overall pick of the MLB Draft. Shortly thereafter, they signed him to a five-year deal worth nearly $10 million, and they also gave him a $6.25 million signing bonus.

So far in his first season of pro ball, Harper's living up to the hype. Through 56 games for Single-A Hagerstown, he's hitting .342 with 14 homers and 14 RBIs.

Yes sir, Harper can play. Unfortunately, he showed on Monday that he doesn't know how to act quite yet.

In case you missed it, the now 18-year-old Harper took some time to admire a home run he hit off of Greensboro pitcher Zachary Neal, and was then caught on cameras blowing Neal a kiss just before he crossed home plate.

Needless to say, crap like that is not going to fly when Harper gets to the show. And seeing as how he could get the call as soon as next season, he had better wise up. If he doesn't, there is going to be an awful lot of chin music in his future.

 

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Appearing on SportsCenter on Tuesday morning, Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt said it best: "Just hit your home runs and hit 'em like you're used to hitting 'em, not like you're surprised when you hit one."

Good advice. And the good news is that a Nationals source said the team is using Harper's antics as a "teaching moment" not just for him, but for the entire Hagerstown club.

Credit where credit's due, Greensboro tried to teach Harper in their own way in his next at bat, as relief pitcher Grant Dayton buzzed him with an inside pitch. Harper shrugged it off by nearly hitting the next pitch out.

When Harper gets to the bigs, he's probably not going to get a second chance. If he starts blowing kisses to major league pitcher, his kisser is going to be the target. When it comes to baseball, them's the rules.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/726631-bryce-harper-lenny-dykstra-lebron-james-and-tuesdays-sports-news/entry/92752-bryce-harper-nationals-phenom-will-take-one-in-the-kisser-if-he-doesnt-wise-up

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