The "Mike Trout vs. Bryce Harper" Debate is Dead

[SoCalWizFan]

because you think he is arrogant at 19-22 yr old, just means you forgot how bullet proof we all were then, it doesn't make him not doing some incredible things, like 15th fastest in MLB history to 50 hr.

LOL. In this forum it sounds like plenty of posters are just as arrogant & run their mouths even more & I am willing to guess that they are much, much, much older than 22.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Three years in and it's not even close. Trout is smashing records from the steroids era and Bryce Harper is flipping his hair.

No question that at this point, Trout has been, by far, the better of the two, but to suggest that all Harper's been doing is "flipping his hair" or that the "debate is dead" are pretty sensationalist. Then again, those kinds of headlines are going to drive clicks, which I understand.

 

[HammerDown]

Then again, those kinds of headlines are going to drive clicks, which I understand.

This thread has been seen 401 times meaning I made about .00000001 cent on it.

So really? You don't understand. Do you?

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

This is everything you need to know about the difference in these two players.

At Monday's All-Star Game media session, the best players in the world were given a hypothetical scenario. Brand-new team, starting from scratch. You're the GM and get to pick one player around whom to build the franchise. Who is that player?

"Maybe Clayton Kershaw?" Trout said. "I like to watch Kershaw."


Los Angeles Angels, reigning MVP of the American League, favorite to win this year's, too. He is, by most measures, the best player in baseball. And as he chose Kershaw, the Los Angeles Dodgers ace typically seen as his pitching doppelganger, Trout was reminded he could select himself if he so desired.


"Naw," Trout said. "I'm not gonna take myself."

In 2012, Trout made his first All-Star team as a 20-year-old, and he looked positively wizened next to the 19-year-old Harper, he of the Sports Illustrated cover and skipping of his senior year in high school and rapid ascent through the minor leagues. Harper was every bit the extrovert as Trout was an introvert, and in that respect little has changed.

When asked which player he'd choose, Harper said St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, whom he called "the best catcher in the game." Then came the caveat.

"Of course I'm gonna pick myself if you give me that opportunity," Harper said.

The opportunity, he was told, was his.

"I'm gonna pick myself."

Meh. If that's everything someone needs to know about the two, I'm glad that someone isn't the GM of the Indians.

If I put my 'I care what a player says to the media' hat on, I'm not overly impressed with either answer.

Harper's sounds confident, but definitely arrogant and I could see how it could rub people, including teammates, the wrong way.

Conversely, Trout's sounds like the canned, ghost-written sound bites that I'd expect from someone who grew up idolizing Derek Jeter. Nothing wrong with that. However, if you had your pick of any MLB player and you don't take Trout, you're retarded, even if you are Trout.

 

[HammerDown]

LOL. In this forum it sounds like plenty of posters are just as arrogant & run their mouths even more & I am willing to guess that they are much, much, much older than 22.

Thank goodness you're not guilty of that!

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

This thread has been seen 401 times meaning I made about .00000001 cent on it.

So really? You don't understand. Do you?

Obviously not.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Yeah, this isn't even a debate. Trout is going to go down as an all-time great and Harper is gonna be remembered more for his immaturity than being a good player.

Jesus rode a triceratops, not a raptor.

 

[purguy12]

Its amazing what these 2 have done and both under 25 years old.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

I do think Harper has the brighter future... But at this point Trout is the clear better player...

The problem is Trout is no longer on pace to be one of the greats... As he is no longer a huge SB threat... He is now here to hit HRs, and is great at doing so, but he will not be one of the greats on this road... It is tough to be too good for your own good... and that was Trout...

Look at his numbers the past 2 seasons, yes they are still great, but they are no longer the Mike trout that we fell in love with... Now he is a .290 power hitter who will never have enough power to reach 40+ HRs...

Uhhhhhh. Are you talking about the Mike Trout that plays Major League Baseball for the LA Angels?

2012 - .326/.399/.564/.963/168
2013 - .323/.432/.557/.988/179
2014 - .287/.377/.561/.939/170
2015 YTD - .312/.405/.614/1.019/188

I have to question the sanity of anyone implying that, at 23 years old, Mike Trout's best years are behind him.

 

[purguy12]

Uhhhhhh. Are you talking about the Mike Trout that plays Major League Baseball for the LA Angels?

2012 - .326/.399/.564/.963/168
2013 - .323/.432/.557/.988/179
2014 - .287/.377/.561/.939/170
2015 YTD - .312/.405/.614/1.019/188

I have to question the sanity of anyone implying that, at 23 years old, Mike Trout's best years are behind him.

These are people that have no clue. He hasn't even hit his prime. These guys are going to be really good for the next 10 years. Baseball is on the rise with all these under 25 stars. The new batch came in and are doing a great job.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

trout is what harper was supposed to be. harper gets the constant age excuse "but hes only blah blah blah". people act like trout is in his late 20's.

Trout is an awesome talent that hit the ground running and stayed healthy.

At this point, I'd say that anyone making excuses for Harpers performance should stop. He hasn't been Trout's equal, that's for sure, but the list of guys with his numbers by 22 years old is a short one.

He's got a career slash line of .284/.372/.507/.879/139. Injuries notwithstanding, that's impressive at any age.

 

[Rock Strongo]

Trout is an awesome talent that hit the ground running and stayed healthy.

At this point, I'd say that anyone making excuses for Harpers performance should stop. He hasn't been Trout's equal, that's for sure, but the list of guys with his numbers by 22 years old is a short one.

He's got a career slash line of .284/.372/.507/.879/139. Injuries notwithstanding, that's impressive at any age.

yup, but he was supposed to barn storm baseball out of the gate.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Guys, its ok, baseball will be dead soon.

Won't we all.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

yup, but he was supposed to barn storm baseball out of the gate.

I see. The Nats probably should have just designated him for assignment immediately after his ROY season.

 

[HammerDown]

These are people that have no clue. He hasn't even hit his prime. These guys are going to be really good for the next 10 years. Baseball is on the rise with all these under 25 stars. The new batch came in and are doing a great job.

Trout plays with Pujols and for the only franchise in MLB history who probably did more 'roids than the Oakland A's. So I'm thinking he'll be good til he's 52 (unless baseball institutes random, in-game testing, in which case he'll be the next Ryan Braun).

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Never said he isn't great or elite... I just don't think he is on pace to be one of the greats anymore... His first 2 seasons he looked like he could be a top 10 player of all time... Now i see him to be top 50... Still elite, but just not one of the GREATEST...

And at this point he is no longer a big threat on the bases, and too much of a HR bat... i see this to only continue, and he will continually bulk up... the question is will he be able to keep his stellar BA up... and i just don't see it...

Bryce Harper has better power potential due to body type and swing... so I do think Harper at this point has the higher ceiling...

Mike. Have you hit your head recently?

 

[HammerDown]

"Bryce is right there with him."

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

on pace doesn't mean he will do it... I don't think he will get 45+... and i won't be surprised if he doesn't reach 40... But i guess, at this point he should reach 40...

Agreed. Which also means there's time for Harper to shit the bed or get hurt and have another disappointing season relative to his potential.

 

[Rock Strongo]

I see. The Nats probably should have just designated him for assignment immediately after his ROY season.

.270
22 HR
59 RBI
11 steals
.817 OPS

.326
30 HR
83 RBI
49 steals
.963 OPS

which ROY destroyed baseball out of the gate and which didnt?

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

No such thing. I'll take a guarantee run (home run) over stolen bases 100% of the time.

What are you talking about, navamind? I agree with @MilkSpiller22 , home run guys who OBP .400 aren't that special. . .