Bryce Harper Update: Showing Improvement, Almost Hits For Cycle

With the recent news of Steven Strasburg's minor league comeback debut, it is time to take another look at the other Washington Nationals phenom, Bryce Harper.

When last we looked at young Harper, he was struggling in his first month at Class-AA Ball in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  After just nine games, he was batting a dismal .194.  This was in contrast to his blazing .318 average in Class-A ball.

Bryce Harper
Photo: Rudy C. Jones/MiLB.com

After an additional twenty games in Harrisburg, the 19-year-old Harper is adjusting to the increased level of pitching.  His batting average is now up to .262 with two home runs and five stolen bases.

Harper gave the local crowd in Harrisburg a reason to cheer this past Saturday night, when he came within a double of hitting for the cycle.  He hit a home run in the first inning, a single in the third, and a triple in the fifth.  In his last two at-bats, he hit into a double play and then was thrown out on a shot to the pitcher.