Nationals' Bryce Harper in a 'real good place'

ST. LOUIS -- Washington Nationals center fielder Bryce Harper is the favorite to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award after the 19-year-old hit .270 with 22 home runs, 59 RBI and 18 stolen bases in 139 games.

However, Nationals manager Davey Johnson does not think the final statistics tell the full story of Harper's development while helping Washington win the National League East.

"He came up and had a really good idea of the strike zone," Johnson said Sunday before the Nationals played the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Busch Stadium. "He expanded it and then he made some adjustments to make (the pitchers) throw the ball over the plate.

"I think of all the guys in the last three weeks, he was as locked in as anybody I had. I'd say hitting-wise he's in a real good place."
Harper hit .330 with seven homers and 14 RBI in 28 games from Sept. 1 on. His defensive has also improved as the season has gone on.

"He started taking better routes (to fly balls)," Johnson said. "He's awfully good considering center field is a position he has not played a lot. He was a little choppy at first but now he glides to the ball more."