Something is wrong with Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper was once in a battle with Mike Trout as the best player in baseball. Now he’s having his second “awful” season in three years, and nobody seems to care.

This is probably not what you expected to hear about Bryce Harper. If you have anything bad to say about Harper, you might as well keep it to yourself, because otherwise Harper stans will jump down your throat.

There’s no question that his talent is otherworldly, but that talent hasn’t been on display this season. Not only has that talent not been on display, but nobody seems to want to address his struggles.

I wouldn’t doubt by this time next month or in early August he’s snapped out of this three-month long “slump,” but for now let’s talk about what Harper has done or hasn’t done so far this season.

Did you know we live in a world where the Rangers have a lineup where every player has a higher WAR than Bryce Harper? Over the last 30 days, Harper has been worth a -0.2 fWAR. In that same 30 days, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna has a 0.2 fWAR. What’s even more shocking is that Acuna hasn’t appeared in a game since May 27 because he’s been on the disabled list.

This season, the Nationals right fielder has a slash line of .219/.356/.479, which is odd for a guy like him. He’s going to walk more than the average batter because he’s that feared of a hitter. He’s a walking definition of the three true outcomes in baseball. His at-bats are in all likelihood going to either walk, strikeout or hit a home run, hence why he has a .479 slugging even though he’s only hitting .219.

Sunday against the Phillies, Harper was 3-5 with three doubles. It was his first game with multiple extra base hits since May 21 against the Padres, yet his struggles go deeper than that. He’s hitting .097 in the seventh inning or later, which is last in all of baseball. Entering Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, he was hitting .147 with 25 strikeouts and a 31 percent strikeout rate in June.

Harper has only slugged over .500 twice in his career, which you might find shocking. The only thing saving his slugging percentage this season is the fact that he’s tied for sixth in baseball with 19 home runs this season.

Next: Will Manny Machado make more than Bryce Harper?

Maybe it’s because Daniel Murphy hadn’t been in the lineup for the majority of the season, or the fact Anthony Rendon spent some time out of the lineup as well. It could be a combination of multiple things, but one thing is for certain: Harper just hasn’t been performing up to the standard he’s set for himself.

He has the talent to turn this season around, but it has to happen pretty soon, not only for his sake but the sake of the Nationals as well. The Nats are 8-13 in the month of June, and Harper is hitting .181. Whether he’s hurt, severely struggling or the pressure of his impending free agency is getting to him, something needs to be addressed with Harper, because things just haven’t looked right for him.