Right moment for Bryce Harper

To really understand the passion Bryce Harper has for playing the game of baseball, just ask him about defense and watch him light up. And now in his new permanent position in right field, he has filled up the highlight reels with leaping catches and sniper-like throws in the season's first month.

Nationals manager Matt Williams made the call to flip-flop outfield positions for Harper and Jayson Werth this past offseason. Harper had previously made 64 starts in right coming into the season, but now it is his territory for good.

"He's understanding the different angles, right-handed hitters as opposed to left-handed hitters," Williams said. "Hitting the ball the other way, how the ball drifts. Certainly his arm plays out there. It's good."

Harper showcased his cannon last Friday night in New York when Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson attempted to score from second on a base hit to right. Like an excited hunter getting a chance at the one glory shot, Harper came up throwing. Granderson was toast.

"There are certain times I can use that to my advantage," Harper said. "Like back-picking guys or them trying to take a second bag if they think I am going slow in the gap or a ball down the line turning around throwing to second trying to get a guy out. So it's part of my game."

Williams would prefer Harper to simply hurry to balls in the gap or down the line and toss the ball back in, holding the runner to one base. But that isn't exciting. That's normal. And what's normal about Harper's game? The 22-year-old sees it as an opportunity to lure an excited hitter into making a costly out.

For Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, Harper's defense has impressed him just as much as the eight homers and team-leading 20 RBIs.

"To me, the most remarkable part about him, he's playing Gold-Gold caliber right field," Rizzo told "Nats Xtra" on Tuesday. "He's saved countless doubles. He's played a lot of doubles into singles. Teams don't like to run on his arm. He's got a plus-arm and he's much more accurate this year. He's much smarter in the outfield, hitting the cutoff man and throwing to the right bases. You see his game coming into focus as a guy who really knows how to play the game. Again, just scratching the surface with that guy."

It's fairly unique for a young player to respect defense and enjoy playing it as much as Harper does. Some talented superstars may use their abilities to knock the ball out of the ballpark as an excuse for below average play in the field. But Harper, a true student of the game, doesn't see it that way.

"I like right field," Harper said. "Having a great guy like Jayson Werth in the clubhouse, being able to lean on him a little bit, seeing reactions at each field, what the ball's gonna do down the line, what the ball's gonna do in certain places we play, I'm just trying to learn as much as I can. And of course Denard (Span) is so good in center field that I've been able to lean on him, too, and try to get good reads. I'm so focused in the outfield right now, just trying to get better, trying to be a defensive guy, not just offense. I'm trying to win Gold Gloves."