Bryce Harper is full of vim and vigor and several other abstract concepts indicating that, at least on the field, he plays with a certain amount of energy. This is mostly a good thing, but when it causes him to run face-first into a wall, it's something of an impediment. Put it this way: This is the second wall Harper has run into this season. We don't think we've run into two walls in our entire lives. Fortunately for Nationals fans, Harper's injuries seem mild, but the last thing anyone wants to see is baseball's phenom hurting himself by pulling yet another Wile E. Coyote impression.

• DawgsBravesFalcons: "I'm glad he isn't on the DL. However, you have to admit, that video is funny. He just runs face-first into the wall like he has no idea what all that dirt infront of the wall means. "
• landis13dmb: "Kids a hell of a ballplayer. That being said this was a total not top ten blooper. He's slowing up to play the bounce off the wall. Problem is he was already way too close and faced it. Just a total blown play by Harper. Anyone that calls this a hustle play is ignorant to the stupidity that was this play."
• MrRelevant: "Dude ran full-speed slap into the wall without making ANY play on the ball and people are on here saying he plays with fire; he's a gammer; the kid is a tough, hard-nosed player, etc. You know what I saw? I saw a kid who plays out of control. A kid who can't read a baseball. A kid who's not aware of his surroundings. A kid who has no finesse to his game. You never saw Andruw Jones run slap into a way. Nobody would ever accuse him of not playing hard. He was just good enough to get excellent jumps on the ball (did you see Harper's route to the ball? If he would've taken a better one, he probably would've caught the ball, or at least known he wasn't going to be able to make a play on it). "
• mrbscot: "Not hating on the guy, but he's got to have more awareness. Play the game hard, but don't be foolish or reckless."
• CzarKingKaiser08: "Warning track probably gives you less than a second to react if you're going full speed."
• Gollar1: "Pay these players millions of dollars and you got a chain link fence?"

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The word of the day is "Natitude." The buzz around the Washington Nationals was at a fever pitch as their two phenoms -- Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg -- delivered in a big way Monday against the Marlins. Harper became the youngest player in the live-ball era to hit two home runs on Opening Day, while Strasburg gave up a leadoff single then sat down the next 19 Marlins in a row. Which young star impressed you more? Cast your votes!

How many home runs will Bryce Harper hit in 2013?

•  
  21%
  29 or less
•  
  56%
  30-39
•  
  16%
  40-49
•  
  7%
  50 or more

(Total votes: 54,796)

Which Nationals player had the more impressive performance on Opening Day?

•  
  45%
  Bryce Harper (2-4, HR in first two plate appearances)
•  
  55%
  Stephen Strasburg (7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, retired 19 batters in a row)

(Total votes: 97,112)

Bryce Harper has some serious power, but Matt Kemp won't pick him for the National League team in the Home Run Derby. Should Kemp reconsider?

• kjg444: "WAIT, is he trying to say that he doesn't think Harper is the best player ever!? Thats an outrage. How could you not pick the kid who is gonna hit under 20 homeruns this year. Shame on you Matt Kemp."
• tedctlai: "It's nice Kemp is not joining the Bryce Harper hype machine."
• MorseHorse38: "Oh well, I can just watch his BP show (not kidding when i say show) at nats park. He'll have plenty of chances to do it in the derby if he wants to. And he's only gonna get stronger as his body fully develops."
• noodles1990: "I like his mindset. Harper is 19 and will have the chance to play in multiple HRDs. I hope he picked Thome. While he isn't among the league leaders, he is one of the best power hitters ever, and this is probably his last season."
• kcfan2144: "Who cares about stats for the HR Derby. It should be 8 guys who the fans want to watch. I'd rather watch BP heroes like Adam Dunn and Giancarlo Stanton than guys like Rickie Weeks."
• burnt_trees: "Bryce Harper brings a lot of hype to baseball. If he was in the Home Run Derby, people would actually tune in to watch."



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Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels will serve a five-game suspension for intentionally throwing at Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper. Does Hamels deserve to be punished for his actions?

What do you make of Cole Hamels saying he hit Bryce Harper on purpose?

•  
  60%
  Just part of the game
•  
  40%
  Unacceptable

(Total votes: 94,792)

Fans' take on Cole's suspension:

• rustyburg: "Haha...5 game suspension for Cole...that's MLB knowing they had to do something, but doing nothing at the same time. 5 games essentially means the Phils push back Hamels next start one day."
• Jaysfan724: "Suspension was deserved, only gets his start pushed back one day...no big deal all around, that's baseball, lets move on. "
• evilgom: "I can't believe he's suspended for admitting it. So zimmerman gets away with it because he didn't admit? What a great way to teach our children. Go MLB."
• RG3s Socks cannot be banned: "i dont think he was suspended for hitting him on purpose. he was suspended because of his stupidity"
• tempdaddy05: "Lesson learned for anyone who wants to play in the MLB. The truth gets you suspended and lying puts in you in record books."



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Bryce Harper is already thrilling fans with his outfield play -- he should have had two asissts at home already, if it weren't for a dropped ball and a missed call. Is his arm already among baseball's best?

• mrdonscott: "I saw that throw in person. It was so sick."
• Rep the 315: "There might be 5 left fielders in MLB who can make that throw. Very impressive. Sure, Rick Ankiel has a better arm, but he was also a pitcher. Kinda comes with the territory."
• tylerkerwinhull: "He doesn't even have the best arm on his team. If that's Rich Ankiel in left he is out by 10 feet."
• Tiggeroo13: "Dude was OUT at home, 'DOA' all the way the ump blew the call, PERIOD end of discussion, dude was out!"
• dtigersfan21: "The crowd definitely did buzz before and even louder after the throw many giving him a standing ovation. It was a great throw by a young kid, one that the average left fielder is NOT making."
• shadowofomoic: "The sad thing is, the only highlight even a little worth showing was him throwing to home plate and the dude being safe. WOW THATS AMAZING!"



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Bryce Harper has been optioned to Triple-A for seasoning, but it seems inevitable that he'll come up and contribute in the majors soon.

• Carlos 04566: "He's a hot dog, he did nothing at A and AA. Why he deserve to be regular at ML? . How many players have better stats and are at the minors?"
• IdeaToEmpire: "Let's just say he has some growing up and attitude adjusting to do."
• debakes10: "Let's keep in perspective he is 19. His attitude and his game are no where near being polished nor will be when he is called up. At 19 everyone has a lot of growing up to do so it is ridiculous to judge him at this point. Obviously he will need to prove himself."
• ONats395: "It is what I had hoped and expected. It won't hurt for him to get more seasoning in AAA. So they think he can play CF. That is a change, no, the rumor at the beginning of Spring Training is that If Harper were to make it, Werth would move to CF and Harper would be in RF."
• jfrog5982: "Good move. Send him down to "learn center," but really he does need more time to develop as a hitter."
• Houjazi: "Honestly, a little humble pie won't hurt the kid. Some time in AAA will do him some good. "



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