Mike Rizzo's "hidden ceiling" for Bryce Harper remains private

In his second year as general manager of the Nationals, Mike Rizzo held the golden ticket to select Bryce Harper with the No. 1 pick in the First-Year Player Draft. Few players in the game's storied history arrived with the rock star hype as Harper, who was still just 17 when he officially signed with the Nationals in August 2010.

Harper didn't waste much time proving his worth. He belted 22 homers and hit .270 to coast to the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2012. Harper's sophomore campaign included 20 more home runs and a second All-Star appearance, but nagging injuries forced him to the disabled list for extended periods.

More uncommon medical issues caused him to miss 62 games last season and led Harper to be named baseball's most overrated player as voted on by his peers for the second consecutive season.

Five weeks into Harper's fourth season, it appears those lists can be bottled up and tossed in the Anacostia River. His dramatic two-run walk-off blast yesterday gives Harper six homers and 12 RBIs in his last three games.

And, of course, everyone is quick to say the 22-year old Harper has finally arrived.

"Well, it's not like this guy came from nowhere to where he is today," Rizzo said. "This guy was one of the really good players in the game from the time he stepped into this clubhouse. He was a historic 18-year old, 19-year old, 20-year old. I think that we've said at times he's scratched the surface of his ability level.

"I think that as his experience level grows and as at-bats keep piling on, he's a guy that knows the league and knows his skill set and how he needs to succeed. He's a big part of it. When this guy's healthy, he's been as good a player as anybody. He's maturing in that aspect, to take care of his body and to make sure that he stays healthy. He knows that when he's in the lineup, he makes it a better lineup."

Rizzo does admit to recognizing a difference from Harper at the plate that's helped in his recent assault on opposing pitchers.

"It's quieter," Rizzo said. "We call it softer in his load and in his approach. I think it's allowing him to see the pitch out of the hand better and know the strike zone better. He's ahead in a lot of counts and that's the secret of any good hitter, to work yourself into good counts and get a pitch to drive. When he's seeing his pitch, he's making the most of it."

Harper entered the season having started 64 games in his career in right field. The Nats decided to make it his permanent position beginning this season and Harper has responded by saving countless extra-base hits with sensational diving catches. In addition, his left arm continues to be a danger to opposing baserunners.

"He's played extremely well in right field," Rizzo said. "Our thought process all along was that we thought he'd be a Gold Glove-caliber right fielder when he finally got comfortable at a single position. We moved him around a little bit early in his career, but I think he's found a home out there. I'm very pleased with where he's at defensively."

It's fairly safe to say Rizzo has never second guessed his scouting of Harper six years ago before that ever-important decision.

"The hidden ceiling that I have in my mind, I've never made public," Rizzo said. "He's going to be a good player, we feel, for a very long time."