Bryce Harper isn’t fat, bro.
Harper caused an offseason stir by revealing his desire to put on weight before the 2014 season. Skeptics wondered how the Nationals outfielder would perform after packing on a few pounds, especially since the 21-year-old underwent a knee operation in October. Harper doesn’t get the big deal, though.
“It was kinda crazy that everyone was going a little berserk about me putting on weight,” Harper said during a recent MLB Network interview. “I was 235 coming in last year and it’s not sloppy weight. I’m not fat. I mean, I look pretty good. I don’t wanna say that, but I’m not gonna lie. It’s not like I’m out eating McDonald’s and Del Taco every night. I eat good, my mom fixes dinner every single night — baked chicken, fish — she cooks a great meal every single night. I’m working out hard and I’m eating right and I’m gaining weight. I think it’s pretty good.”
Harper said during the same interview that he expects to lose weight during the season, which is common among major leaguers. Mike Trout made headlines last offseason for putting on weight, and everything seemed to work out OK for him. Harper should be just fine.
Check out Harper’s complete MLB Network interview below. Please take note of Harper’s sarcastic response to Billy Ripken, whose hip joke about crashing into walls didn’t really land with Harper.
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