Any chance of getting someone to do a swing analysis on this kid? Would be interesting to read.

Interesting, but not very pertinent to hitting with a wood bat.

Harper can hit with a wood bat as well. Here is what I wrote back in August 2008:

"Using a wood bat, Harper put on a hitting clinic toward the end of BP, blasting one shot after another. Several hours later, the prized prospect hit the two hardest balls during the opening day of the six-day tournament in which pitchers dominated the action. In his first at-bat, Harper, serving as the designated hitter for the Cincinnati Reds, lined out to center field. He hit the ball about as squarely as possible, directly up the middle but straight into the glove of Washingon Nationals center fielder Kyrell Hudson.

In Harper's second trip to the plate, he jacked a towering shot off the right-field wall for a stand-up triple to open the sixth inning. It is important to note that Blair Field is a pitcher-friendly ballpark played at seaside altitude with 348-ft dimensions down the lines that exceed those of every major-league stadium in existence."

***

Like almost all amateurs, Harper generates a little bit more swing speed with the metal bat and enjoys the benefits of a larger sweet spot and the trampoline effect.

If you want to be scientific about it, according to a study of home runs at the International Power Showcase by Greg Rybarcyzk, the metal bats produced about 10% more distance than their wood counterparts.

Remember, Harper is 16 years old. I think the kid will do just fine as he transitions from metal to wood bats on a more full-time basis.

Looks like David Wright with the foot twist to load his swing.

Key for him will clearly be his pitch recognition skills and mastering the strike zone.

He has easily got the power necessary to play this game at the highest level.

It's been said the fastest way to the majors is to make your mark with the tools of ignorance. Barring injury, or stupidness, Bryce has a bright future. Everyone who has ever taken a practice swing, envisions the ball jumping of the bat ala Bryce Harper. Pure hitters like Bryce, once signed, will be moved to the outfield or first base, to preserve the form that will be eroded the longer he stays behind the dish.

Anyone know Bryce Harper's birthdate??

Brian

Bryce has by far the best swing I have ever seen. I pitched for a collegiate semipro team and I never faced a single person that has the swing he does. I went up against big schools while myself coming out of a D3 going up against D1 I thought was going to be tough but no one was even comparable to the swing that he shows.

for those who want to shoot this kid down because he's a sophomore in HIGH SCHOOL, you should actually take at this kid. I myself am actually playing in the same city and have played against Bryce, the "man child" Harper, and find nothing short of the words amazing to come to mind. Do you realize that this kid for one, has the sufficient build of a Major League player already? what kid do you know that's 200 lbs, 6'3? that's right, no one. he's elite, legit, whatever you want to call him, but the kid is built for stardom. his brother is a couple years older than him and can contest to the same thing. he eats, lives, breathes, and sweats baseball. like the writer of this article said, remember the name, because in about 2 years, you're gonna be seeing this kid on the draft. And the joker who was saying stuff about metal bats, he's 15, and he's in HIGH SCHOOL, you're primary bats are metal, and even if he was using wood, he'd still be hitting moon shots with what seems like effortless talent, so sit back, relax, and in two years, remember the name.

Bryce Is not only one of the best baseball players alot of will ever get to see at this level. But he is an all around great kid! He gets after it in the classroom and is just a well rounded young adult. I wish the best for him as he starts to get into this crazy world of baseball...