Bryce Harper Won't Replicate Promising Debut Performance

Bryce Harper had an impressive debut for the Washington Nationals. He finished 1-for-3 with a double, a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth and a rocket throw from left field that would have gunned down Jerry Hairston had Wilson Ramos not bobbled the ball.

It was an impressive debut. Don't expect it to last.

The fact remains that, despite all of his incredible talent, Harper is only 19 years old. Despite his incredible power at the plate, he was hitting .250 in Triple-A this year. Even with that insane arm, there are bound to be some mental errors along the way out in the field.

Consider the following, from the Associated Press (via Fox News):

"

Harper, who doesn't turn 20 until Oct. 16, joined the Nationals with 142 games left in the season. There have been 17 players in major league history who have played at least 100 games as a teenager, including Mel Ott, Ken Griffey Jr., Robin Yount, Al Kaline, Ed Kranepool, Rusty Staub, Tony Conigliaro, Edgar Renteria and Jose Oquendo.

"

There's a reason only 17 players in the game's long history have played 100 games as a teenager. The adjustment is difficult, and frankly, even the game's best players can't hack it at a young age.

Harper will have to truly dazzle to remain in the big leagues once Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse return. The Nationals have no reason to rush him along in this process, after all.

Now, I'm not saying Harper will be a bust or anything like that. The physical tools are obvious, and he seems like a kid who loves playing the game. I think he's going to be a special player.

But I would simply warn Nationals fans to temper their expectations, at least in the immediate future. Expecting a 19-year-old kid to be a savior is foolish and unfair.

He'll be a star someday. For now, think of him as being in the protostellar phase.

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