Just a little patience leads to violence at the plate for Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper pulverized a baseball in the fifth inning yesterday. The 89 mph pitch from Phillies starter Aaron Harang stood no chance as Harper's violent lash sent it flying to an exclusive part of Nationals Park - way, way beyond the center field wall.

The ESPN Home Run Tracker measured the distance at 452 feet, making it the longest home run of Harper's career. The blast tied for the fifth-longest home run at Nationals Park over the past five seasons.

"I thought I got in a pretty good count. ... Got into a 3-1 count, saw a good pitch to hit, and you know did what I did with it," said Harper. "Goes back to being patient and trying to not do too much, stay within myself and do what I need to do."

Chances are Harper would have been a bit more animated when speaking about the majestic clout had it not come in a disappointing 5-3 loss. It was the second in as many nights for Harper, and I don't mean just home runs; I mean titanic blasts to straightaway center field.

On Friday, the 22-year-old victimized Phillies starter Sean O'Sullivan, sending a hanging curveball high into the night for a three-run shot.

"I was trying to look for a pitch over the plate and not miss," Harper said. "I've missed so many good pitches. I've only seen about half a pitch to one pitch an at bat. I was trying to not miss pitches and I finally connected with something and I put a good swing on it to dead center."

Harper has struggled with strikeouts early this season. He already has 17 in 43 at-bats, including three games where he's whiffed three times.

"The calmness is key for him," said Nationals manager Matt Williams. "Being calm at the plate. (Hitting coach) Rick Schu likes to call it, when he gets too jumpy, he rages out at the ball. Where he goes to the ball instead of letting the ball come to him. And that's the telling sign with Bryce. If his lower half is calm, then he sees the baseball, his head doesn't move and he's able to pick pitches on and off the plate to hit."

It seems to be coming around for Harper, as he's 5-for-11 in his last four games with two homers, a double and four RBIs. He's also drawn five walks over that span and leads the team with nine. That's the sort of discipline that Williams want to see from his young star at the plate.

"I love talking to Matt about hitting," said Harper. "He's very impressive with what he has to say, and it's a lot of fun to talk to him about approach and what I'm feeling and what he's thinking I'm doing. I'm trying to be quick, not as strong, do what I can to connect to the baseball, see my pitches, draw my walks if I need to."

"If they're not giving in, keep throwing me off-speed or off the plate or anything like that, don't chase. If you strike out on a good pitch, it happens. But draw your walks, try to get good pitches, and don't miss 'em."

Harper's four home runs have him tied for second in the National League not even two weeks into season. If Harper stays healthy, there's no reason why he shouldn't be expected to remain among the league leaders throughout the season.

"For Bryce, it's not how far, it's how many," said Williams. "He can hit it a long way, but he doesn't have to fully swing every time to do so."

That's the patience Williams continues preaching to Harper. Lately, it seems to be registering.

"I mean, not trying to muscle up and hit a ball 900 feet," Harper said. "If you're quick to the baseball and you're getting your hands to the ball, the ball is gonna jump and go."

It appears the tape measure could get some serious work in 2015.