Washington Nationals News: Bryce Harper, Kris Bryant meet again
By Pablo Roa
Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily! Get caught up on all the latest Nats news with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s John Jackson and Sarah Trotto discuss the history between young superstars Bryce Harper and Kris Bryant, and how the two are once again playing on the same field during this week’s series between the Nationals and the Cubs.
As Jackson and Trotto note, both the Nationals’ Harper and the Cubs’ Bryant grew up in Las Vegas and played in the same baseball circles when they were kids. Now, Harper and Bryant are two of baseball’s most promising young players, and it’s a privilege to be able to see them play together at the game’s highest level.
Also in today’s Daily, Tim Haberin of Call to the Pen discusses what he believes Stephen Strasburg must to to overcome his recent struggles. Be sure to check out Tim’s article below, it’s definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Remember when? Harper, Bryant meet again
(John Jackson and Sarah Trotto, MLB.com)
CHICAGO — Bryce Harper and Kris Bryant grew up in Las Vegas and traveled in many of the same baseball circles as young players. But personality-wise, the two Major League rising stars almost appear as if they’re from different planets. Bryant is mostly quiet and reserved, while Harper is not.
On Monday, before the Nationals and Cubs opened a three-game series at Wrigley Field, someone asked Harper if he had checked the flags on the center-field scoreboard to see if the wind was blowing in or out.
“No,” the Nationals star said somewhat dismissively. “I don’t need wind.”
Bryant wasn’t aware of that comment, but it’s a good bet he wouldn’t have been surprised. Read full article here.
Struggling Strasburg must alter approach
(Tim Haberin, Call to the Pen)
While Bryce Harper tears the cover off every ball he sees, the Washington Nationals‘ other former Number 1 overall draft pick is not faring nearly as well. Stephen Strasburg is sporting an ugly 6.50 ERA through nine starts. Alarm bells are sounding around the one-time super-prospect, and many around the game are pondering what exactly is amiss with the 26-year-old starting pitcher.
One of the more startling things about the 2015 version of Strasburg is how early he is being chased from games. Three of his last four starts have seen him fail to get through the fourth inning. His longest outing to date was 7.1 frames against the Phillies on April 19. For a hurler who in many eyes should be ace-like, that is a serious lack of length Strasburg is providing to the Nats.
Of course, Strasburg has never exactly been a workhorse. Last season, the first campaign in which he exceeded 200 innings pitched, he averaged about 6.1 innings per start. A solid, though not quite remarkable number. 2012 and 2013 saw him throw averages of 5.2 and 6.0 innings, respectively. Injuries and pitch limits have played a part, but Strasburg hasn’t been the starter you count on for a major workload. Read full article here.