For Nats' Harper, sky is the limit

VIERA, Fla.

As we New Yorkers of a certain age recall, this won't be the first time Davey Johnson decides whether a 19-year-old ballplayer is ready for prime time.

"You look at talent, it takes about two minutes and your opinions are drawn," the Nationals manager said Sunday at Space Coast Stadium. "It's not something you have to look at every day for weeks or months."

Dwight Gooden possessed that gift with the Mets back in 1984, Johnson's first season as a major-league manager. Washington corner outfield prospect Bryce Harper has it now, Johnson asserted. And if Harper, the first overall selection in the 2010 draft, puts up a strong spring training, the 69-year-old Johnson will push to include the wunderkind in his everyday lineup as the Nationals try for their first playoff berth.

"I have an open mind on all the players, not just him," Johnson said. "But like anything else, you kind of put 'em up there and you handicap them in your mind . . . He's right up there with anyone. We'll just see."

Like most prodigies, Harper has spent his life wildly exceeding expectations. He intends to have that trend continue.

"Even last year, coming in, that was my goal, trying to making the team out of camp," Harper said. "I think it's a little bit more real this year. If I come in here and play hard, play my game, I think I have a pretty good shot of making this team."

Harper possesses a youthful face and more mature body, one that allows him to hit and throw lasers. He has the sort of skills that motivated him to leave high school early, thereby qualifying him for the draft all the sooner. An encouraging first professional season -- he recorded a .392 on-base percentage and .501 slugging percentage in 452 plate appearances and totaled 17 homers for Class A Hagerstown and Double-A Harrisburg -- further pumped up the volume.

When I asked a scout from another team for a player comparable to Harper, the scout responded, on the condition of anonymity, "I think he will be the one we compare future players to."

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has to play the "cautious adult" role in this dynamic. Having put together an impressive core of young players -- the team held a news conference Sunday to announce a six-year, $100-million extension for third baseman Ryan Zimmerman -- he must prioritize each player's development over his potential to immediately help the big-league club.

"I think he has the skill set to perform in the big leagues this year," Rizzo said. "We just have to make sure he's fully ready in all aspects of his game, off the field, all that stuff."

Harper said he wants to work on hitting the breaking ball and outside pitches and his decision-making in the outfield. "I'm only 19," he reminded us, "so I think I've got a little bit of ways to go."

As for off the field, Harper has earned a reputation as a hothead; last year, he sparked a bench-clearing brawl while in Class A. That's on his agenda, too. "I come in here and just keep my mouth shut," Harper said. "Try to listen, speak less and listen more."

Said veteran Mark DeRosa: "He asks a ton of questions. He goes about it the right way. It can't be easy for a 19-year-old to have every move he makes monitored and still carry himself the way he does."

"The proof will be in the pudding," Johnson said, and if Harper prevails, he'll play rightfield and shift Jayson Werth to centerfield.

It could be a fun 2012 season for the Nationals. Definitely, it will be a fun spring training, just to watch Harper's job audition.