Bryce Haper. I like the halo around the big mouth, bad boy image. Photo: Chris McPherson/GQ

GQ Magazine features Bryce Harper in the issue set to hit the newsstands on March 20, 2012. Will Leitch asks in an online article, “Is Baseball Ready for Bryce?”

Harper’s swing is so violent that in the cage, the bat cracks even when he misses. The trainer seems not so comfortable: This is his first time underhanding batting practice to Bryce, and he keeps hearing about it from the kid. (“My dad”—Harper’s trainer since T-ball—”is better at tossing these.”) He’s also crouched four feet from the end of Harper’s bat; one errant swing and the trainer’s teeth might be scattered to Newport Beach. “When I hit the ball,” Harper says, “I do want to hurt it.”

See the ball and hit it hard! What I’ve seen of Harper’s swing reminds me of Rickey Henderson. Both explode out of a crouch to power the ball. I hope Bryce lives up to expectations. Teenage hitters do have a decent track record. (Griffey, A and I Rod, Robin Yount)