Bryce Harper was unbelievably impressive during Nationals spring training, but the time has come to send him down to the minor leagues as expected. The Nationals have optioned Harper to Minor League camp, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
Harper was expected to make a brief cameo at spring training before eventually being sent down to Single A for his first professional baseball season, but the Nationals kept him around for longer than expected because he performed extremely well. Ultimately, Harper lasted until the third cuts, when many expected he would be gone right away.
Harper will begin his season in Class-A Hagerstown, as expected. He had many outstanding moments in Spring Training, including one game where he hit two doubles and prevented the go-ahead run from scoring with a bullet throw from right field. It's certainly early, but it looks like he will not be a bust on the Major League level.