Rookie of the Year Award 2012 Results: Did Bryce Harper Win on Stats or Hype?

[ocanseco55]

Has any rookie in recent memory been hyped up as much as Bryce Harper?

As a 16-year-old in 2009, he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, billed as "Baseball's LeBron." He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 amateur draft when he was 17.

Even after only one full season in the minors, the expectation was for Harper to be with the Washington Nationals quickly. It was a disappointment when he didn't make the major-league team out of spring training this year and the Nats assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse.

But Harper couldn't be kept from the majors and his inevitable stardom for very long. By the end of April, the Nationals were desperate for offense from their outfield and decided to call up their top prospect. Was he capable of giving the Nats the boost they needed?

Almost from the beginning, the answer was yes.
Rookie of the Year Award 2012 Results: Did Bryce Harper Win on Stats or Hype? | Bleacher Report

[OriolesFan]

To keep it simple, he won the award because he was the BEST "ROOKIE" in the N L for the 2012 season. Very deserving of that award.

[gladdyontherise]

He won it based on both, in my opinion. His stats were at a historic level for a 19 year old and he lived up to the hype.

[B.I.G.Poppa]

It was a combination of both. His stats were decent, and the fact that he's a 19 year old with mountains of hype pushed him over the top.

[ucffans]

I agree with BIG POPPA. I think it was actually more difficult for him to win because of all the hype.

It makes me think of all the hype behind things like Dave and Dave (Olympics) for Reebok

[key2win]

Agreed....