Throughout his life, Bryce Harper has been better than he should be at whatever his age was. He was too much for high school players as a sophomore. He bested college players as a junior, and performed admirably in the Arizona Fall League as a teenager. Now, even though he has just turned 18, and has yet to play a minor league game, he is trying to make the major league club in spring training, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
"I'm trying to make this club," Harper said. "I'm going to come out here every day and make their choice hard. If it doesn't happen, then it's going to be great being up here and learning from these guys.
"Why can't it be realistic? Why can't I come in here and think that I can make this team? I've exceeded expectations my whole life."
Kilgore is quick, however (before the quote actually), to mention that the Nats are sending him to Class-A Hagerstown, and that is not going to change. I think Harper probably knows that. But I like the way that he talks about his approach to spring training.
Trying to show the organization how good of a player he already is, but also willing to learn about what it takes to be a major leaguer. Even though he won't make the squad this spring, this could be valuable experience he takes to his first minor league stop.