Bryce Harper: 7 Things We've Learned About the Washington Nationals Phenom

Now that a strained right hamstring has ended the season of the Washington Nationals' future phenom Bryce Harper, the team must evaluate his performance in the minors this season and decide where they want to place him for the 2012 season.

Don't expect Harper to begin next season in the majors.

Although his numbers from Class-A Hagerstown and Double-A Harrisburg are worthy of a promotion, he'll still only be 19 years old when spring training rolls around.

Plus, those who've followed Harper's career since he was selected first overall in 2010 know he still has room to mature before he can play the role of superstar and boost the ever-struggling Nationals offense.

That being said, here is a list of everything that we've learned from Bryce Harper during his season in the minors.

No. 1: He's Worth the Hype

Over the course of the season, it seemed as though whenever Bryce Harper went, so too did a flock of fans and media to cover the future superstar's at-bats.

He started the year in Class-A, where he hit .318 with 14 home runs and 46 RBI in 72 games before being promoted to the Double-A level. There, Harper hit .256 with three home runs and 12 RBI in 37 games before succumbing to a season-ending injury.

Overall, Harper had an average of .297, hit 17 home runs, drove in 58 runs and had a .392 OBP in the 109 games he played in the minors this season—numbers definitely worthy of the praise he received.

No. 2: He Knows He's Worth the Hype

On June 6, after hitting a two-run home run off of Greensboro's Zachary Neal while playing at Class-A Hagerstown, Bryce Harper watched his home run fly over the fence before starting his home run trot; and that was only half the controversy.

The backstory, for what it's worth, goes like this.

In his first at-bat against Neal, Harper struck out on a borderline pitch. In his next plate appearance, Harper lined a single up the middle that deflected off Neal's foot.

Harper then proceeded to homer in this third at-bat of the evening—the at-bat in which he watched his ball fly over the fence before starting into his trot. As he rounded third base, Harper looked at Neal and blew him a kiss.

Albeit, the media made more of this than they probably should have, but the home run trot and the kiss show that Harper truly isn't ready to face the scrutiny of the major league level, where he would likely be head-hunted by the opposing team's pitcher during his next at-bat.

No. 3: He'll Have No Problem Being an Everyday Outfielder

Prior to being selected first overall in the 2010 Major League Baseball draft, Bryce Harper had spent most of his time playing catcher.

The Nationals, however, drafted Harper and immediately moved him into the outfield; to both extend his future major league career and get him to the majors quicker.

Although Harper committed eight errors in the minors this season—three while playing left field, three in right field and two in center—he showed that he was comfortable playing in the outfield.

He recorded 182 putouts at both Hagerstown and Harrisburg combined, and finished with a .961 fielding percentage.

No. 4: He's Immature

Before Harper's hamstring gave out, he was in the headlines for his ejection a week or so prior. After the umpire rung Harper up on a borderline pitch, Harper angrily bounces his batting helmet on the ground and gets right in the umpire's face before his coaches and teammates push him away.

Yes, the majority of big leaguers have lost their cool on a called strike-three pitch some time during their careers, but this wasn't the first time Harper berated an umpire this season.

A few months prior, after being rung up on yet another borderline pitcher, Harper reportedly cursed several times in disbelief, then proceeded to get into the umpire's face; resting his batting helmet on the brim of the umpire’s hat, according to the Washington Post.

No. 5: He Showed Signs of Leadership

Although most of the reports that make national headlines are negative, Bryce Harper has, at times, shown the signs of a leader; a role he'll likely play in Washington, assuming he is groomed into the player that the Nationals expect him to.

For example, when Harper's Harrisburg squad played in Akron, he refused interviews for three days so that teammate Tyler Moore, who leads the Eastern League in home runs, could be interviewed.

By sharing the spotlight and understanding his role on the team, Harper showed a glimpse of maturity that had yet to be seen from him up until then.

Assuming Harper can cut down on his temper tantrums, he has shown his ability to lead his team—a role he will play well upon arriving in D.C.

No. 6: He's Going to Be a Home Run Hitter

Although Harper's batting average dipped well below .318 (his average at Class-A Hagerstown) once he arrived in Double-A, his home runs have been just as spectacular.

On July 4, not long after Harper was promoted to Double-A, he hit a walk-off home run that was estimated at 500 feet (over the 30-foot batter's eye in center field).

Harper hit a combined 17 home runs in the minor leagues this season—a number likely to increase as his time there wears on.

I expect him to be a power hitter in the majors, as well. Harper is also a threat on the base path, as he swiped 26 bases over the course of the season. That combination of power and speed could prove to be lethal for Harper once he arrives in Washington.

No. 7: When His Time Comes, He'll Be Ready

When Bryce Harper matures and the Washington Nationals deem it time to call him up to the majors, he will be ready.

When trying to make a list of minor leaguers who've been booed on a day-in, day-out basis, I came up empty. The only name on the list was Harper, who has reportedly even been booed by 50-year-old men.

That kind of experience can't usually be taught in the minors, so when it undoubtedly happens when Harper arrives in Washington, he'll be used to it.

It may not seem like much, but if Harper can focus more on his game than his surroundings, he'll be tough to stop.