Over last 10 games, Harper dazzling with bat and glove

Single-A Hagerstown Suns outfielder Bryce Harper - perhaps you have heard of him - continues to scorch South Atlantic League pitching. His last 10 games have been ridiculous. Since April 21, Harper is hitting .500 (16-for-32) with six doubles, five homers and 13 RBIs. During this recent run, Harper's slugging percentage is 1.156 and his on-base percentage is .600. Overall, Harper is now batting .355 with eight doubles, six homers and 20 RBIs. Projected out to a 140-game minor league season, that is roughly 45 doubles and 35 home runs. Bryan Holland, the play-by-play announcer for the Suns, reported Harper's most recent home run was a rocket shot that took "three seconds to clear the right field fence". Most fans might expect these numbers from the No. 1 overall prospect. But they may not know how well he is progressing defensively in his transition from catcher to outfield. Holland reports Harper made two diving catches versus the West Virginia Power last week. Both catches were against Power shortstop Drew Maggi. In the first big play, Harper dove to make a catch that took away a single. Then, in the ninth inning, Harper saved the tying run from coming to the plate with a "superman sprawl" to his right, preventing extra bases. Hagerstown begins an eight-game homestand Thursday at Municipal Stadium. With the Nationals off Monday, May 9, be sure to check out the Suns home game against Delmarva, an Orioles affiliate. They also have a morning game Tuesday, May 10, at 10:35 a.m.