On Wednesday against the Yankees (WAS 5, NYY 4, 11 innings), Nationals apple-cheeked thunderclap Bryce Harper did something for the very first time -- he faced a major-league pitcher younger than he is. Said younger pitcher is Yanks lefty Jacob Lindgren, who was born 147 days after the 22-year-old Harper.
Forthcoming: A fly-out to left ...
Coming into the season, Harper's numbers were "merely" good on an unadjusted basis. However, once you consider how much younger he's been than his big-league peer group, you get an idea of how special he is. Even making it to the majors as a 19-year-old, which is what Harper did, is itself a portent of future greatness. In a related matter, Harper logged 1,733 plate appearances at the major-league level before he ever faced a younger opposing hurler. That's remarkable. On that note ...
Bryce Harper on facing Jacob Lindgren: "Very cool. Hopefully they're all younger one day, 40 years old & [I'm] playing against 20 year olds"
— James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) June 10, 2015
Oh, and let's note that Harper this season is batting a ridiculous .328/.463/.713 with 20 homers and 49 walks against 50 strikeouts.
